Ruben Zahra joins Dutch ensemble for Arts Festival performance

Windstreken makes musical connections between diverse musical styles. Their music combines jazz improvisation with medieval and contemporary classical music as well as Indian and North African traditions.

The ensemble was accompanied by Ruben Zahra for a Malta Arts Festival performance at the Robert Samut Hall, Floriana yesterday evening.

The eclectic line-up of alto flute, saxophone, ud, classical organ, cello and percussion is further enhanced with the special addition of the Maltese bagpipe and reedpipe: żaqq and żummara.

Windstreken ensemble is collaborating with Maltese composer Ruben Zahra for a vibrant music programme that will present some of Zahra’s compositions portraying a unique folk-fusion profile.

This project will be premiered in Utrecht on 2 May 2014 with a revamp at the Malta Arts Festival. This event is supported by Gaudeamus Muziekweek, ISCM - International Society for Contemporary Music and the city of Utrecht.

Flutes, soprano saxophone were performed by Pieter de Mast, with Sebastiaan van Delft on organ and positive organ, Kamal Hors on Ud and voice and Jörg Brinkmann on cello. Percussion was by Udo Demandt, with authentic Maltese wind instruments performed by Ruben Zahra.

Photography by Joe Smith

Running until 2 August, artists from Croatia, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, South Africa and Russia will join some of the best Maltese artists in a festival with 18 performances and a separate programme of workshops and master classes. Most of these events will be held in some of the island’s most prestigious historical venues, such as the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Pjazza Teatru Rjal and the newly-restored Fort St Elmo.

For more information log on to maltaartsfestival.org