Austrian musicians bring melody to celebrations

Perform with Pakistani musical duo to produce fusion songs

ISLAMABAD: Music, they say, is a universal language. There can, thus, be no better way to expand diplomatic ties than by using a language understood by all parties.

The Austrian Embassy on Thursday marked its national day in style with a joint performance by Pakistani and Austrain musicians at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Austrian Ambassador Dr Brigitta Blaha said that they had organised the concert to celebrate Austria’s proclamation of neutrality. During the concert, traditional Austrian songs were performed Paul Schuberth — on the accordion, and Christopher Haritzer — on the clarinet.

Haritzer is well-known for his traditional Austrian folk and woodwind music.  Schuberth is one of the best-known accordion players in Austria. With the event aimed to bring together musicians from Austria and music lovers of Pakistan closer and strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, the two musicians played with Pakistani musicians, Shabih Den and Ejaz Hussain.

Together they performed a series of fusion songs which mesmerised the jam-packed PNCA auditorium.

Talking to APP, Schuberth said that this was the first time they were performing in Pakistan and they had enjoyed the warm response from the people.

He hoped that the people of Lahore and Karachi would also enjoy their music in coming days where they are also expected to perform.

Through this tour and cultural exchange, there will be an exchange of ideas, information, values, traditions, beliefs and other aspects of culture with the intention of fostering mutual understanding of the cultures of both Austria and Pakistan, the organisers said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2017.