The band that created some of the background score for the hit 1997 movie Titanic will be performing at the sixth edition of Swiss Days Dubai festival on Saturday. I Salonisti, who played the chamber music ensemble in James Cameron’s blockbuster, will perform at Ductac.
The quintet came together in 1981 to record the salon music once played on ships. Their work was picked by James Horner, the film’s music director, and they were hired to record the music and portray the chamber music ensemble in the movie. They first played in the UAE in 2004.
“When we started I Salonisti, the idea of uniting the high level of classically trained chamber music with a repertoire that is accessible for an audience with little background in classical music was a hit,” says Lorenz Hasler, the director of the band. “This idea of an ambitious quintet performing favourites from different cultural origins has kept us enjoying every concert we have.”
This year, their programme is in two parts. “First will be a ‘tour d’horizon’ in the world of movie soundtracks, with some well-known melodies from Charlie Chaplin and Nino Rota,” says Hasler.
“The second half is a musical journey through Europe on the tracks of the Orient Express – England, France, Italy, Austria, Romania and Turkey.”
• I Salonisti will perform on Saturday at 8pm at Ductac Theatre. Visit www.swissartgateuae.com for ticket information
[ aahmed@thenational.ae ]
