On Wednesday 24 October 2018, sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, Ayaan Ali Bangash and Amaan Ali Bangash performed at this year’s UN Day Concert at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
Accompanied by the Refugee Orchestra Project, the sarod trio performed a mesmerizing programme of Indian classical music, alongside Samaagam, Amjad Ali Khan’s first sarod concerto.
On the trio’s performance, Secretary General to the United Nations António Guterres remarked “Amjad Ali Khan and the Refugee Orchestra Project have crossed boundaries and cultures to enrich the societies where they perform. They remind us – as our Charter reminds us -- that our diverse backgrounds are a cause for celebration rather than division.”
UN Day marks the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and has been celebrated since 1948. The theme of this year’s concert, which marks the 70th UN day, is “Traditions of Peace and Non-violence”.
This concert follows the announcement that Amjad Ali Khan, Ayaan Ali Bangash and Amaan Ali Bangash will perform Samaagam at next year’s WOMADelaide Festival in Australia with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Their latest recording, entitled Peace Worshippers, was released in July 2017 by Affetto Records and distributed by Naxos.
The UN Day concert can be viewed in full here.
