The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), in collaboration with The Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary and Heritage Malta, is celebrating Public Service Week by amongst others performing two important works by Maestro Joseph Vella, namely “Ħaġar Qim” (Opus 25) and “Rebbieħa” (Opus 45).

The schedule of these two online productions is as follows:

Ħaġar Qim, Friday 18 September, 9PM https://maltaorchestra.com/events/hagar-qim/

Rebbieha, Friday 25 September, 9PM – Also streamed on TVM https://maltaorchestra.com/events/rebbieha/

“Rebbieħa”, evocatively performed at Fort Saint Elmo in Valletta this time under the baton of Kevin Abela, is one of Maestro Vella`s most popular orchestral works and includes references of the Maltese anthem. It has been performed widely across the world, including performances during the MPO Valletta18 International Tour in the United States and Russia. This symphonic poem was defined by the New York Classical Review as “a dramatic overture with energy, imagination and an individual voice” positioning the composer “somewhere between Ralph Vaughan Williams and Shostakovich”.

“Ħaġar Qim”, composed in 1978, is a 10 minute ballet music composition that will feature MPO Principal players Rebecca Hall (flute), John McDonough (oboe) and Daniel Cauchi (percussion), besides Moritz Zavan Stoeckle as dancer. It was filmed at the Ħaġar Qim Neolithic Temples, to further capture Malta’s rich cultural heritage through Maestro Vella`s music.