To honor ten years of Meridian Music: Composers in Performance, and the 20th Anniversary of Meridian Gallery, Meridian will host the Arab Orchestra of San Francisco, performing a blend of traditional pieces with modern arrangements, modern art music pieces from around the Arab world, original pieces, and improvisation in several idioms, under the direction of oud player Saed Muhssin.

The Arab Orchestra of San Francisco was founded with a specific vision in mind for the repertoire and the sound that it would offer. The repertoire of the AOSF is chosen from among the most demanding Arabic art pieces. The members of the orchestra are musicians with a solid background and the sound of the orchestra relies on the strength of each individual player, not just when they perform composed and improvised solos, but also when the entire orchestra is performing.

Performers include: Vince Delgado, Percussion; Emily Packard, Violin; Heather Vorwerck, Cello; Ryan Greene-Roesel, Nay (Arabic reed flute); Susanna Goldenstein, Percussion; and Saed Muhssin, Artistic director, Oud (Arabic 11 string fretless lute).

This event will also feature the CD release of Earth Music - Ten Years of Meridian Music: Composers in Performance, a compilation of tracks chosen from the archive of recordings from the past ten years of concerts in the series.

See photos from the concert.