Pieces by German baroque composer George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) and arrangements by classical composer Wolfang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) will be performed by the Symphonic Ensemble Munich, a symphony orchestra founded in 1996 and renowned for its performance excellence.

Directed by Felix Mayer, the group will open the concert on the notes of the Overture and Prelude to Act 2 from Handel’s “Acis and Galatea,” presenting a German version of the opera arranged by Mozart (symphony KV 566) in 1788 under the commission of Baron Gottfried van Swieten.

The mythological story of Acis and Galatea was hugely popular at Handel’s time and many baroque composers set it to music. Handel's version, presented in Italian (1708) and English (1718), was, however, the most famous. Later, in 1788, when Mozart expanded and adapted the orchestration, he reversed Handel's Baroque style into a more classical work.

The program of the evening concert also includes Handel’s Concerto Grosso (Op. 6 No. 9 and Op. 6 No. 7) and Mozart’s arrangement of Handel’s Overture and Andante (Coro) from "Alexander's Feast" (symphony KV 591).

“We are moved by the desire to promote cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Germany,” explained German Cultural Attaché Christian Strob who contributed also in the past to the promotion of cultural exchanges between the two countries.

In May 2011, the renowned German Pianist Olivia Trummer, together with Percussionist Bodek Janke, brought an exciting fusion of jazz and classical music from Europe to the Hijaz. Six months later, Johannes Tonio Kreusch and Cornelius Claudio Kreusch — two of Germany's finest artists in guitar and piano — gave an enthralling concert with musicians from all over Arabia, fusing European classical music and contemporary jazz with Arabic sounds and melodies.

Now it’s the turn of the Symphonic Ensemble Munich, which has earned a reputation, thanks to repeated appearances at the renowned Gasteig Center for the Arts in Munich, and has a wide repertoire including classical but also more contemporary styles.

Besides, the orchestra maintains a close relationship with Technische Universität München (TUM), arranging weekly rehearsals on campus, involving students and performing for the university's commemorative events.

The orchestra comprises First Violinists Wolfgang Schiele, Lara Kuntz and Sonja Eibel; Second Violinists Gisela Kangler, Heidrun Hogger and Marie Föllmer; Viola Players Carolin Ahrendt and Susanne Hogger; Violoncellists Benedikt I. Stampfli and Johanna Krauß; Double Bassist Bernd Plank, Oboe Players Barbara Hipp and Isabel Christen; and Clarinetist Florian Leitmeir.

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