New York Arabic Orchestra

This year’s New York Arabic Orchestra program celebrates the enduring legacy of the Rahbani family, whose music and musical theater shaped modern Lebanese cultural identity and left an indelible mark on the Arab world. Through decades of visionary compositions and storytelling—most famously in collaboration with the iconic singer Fairuz—the Rahbanis created a body of work that blends poetic lyricism with rich musical textures.

Their music explores themes of love, homeland, nostalgia, social reflection, and everyday life, capturing both the intimacy of personal emotion and the collective spirit of Lebanese culture. With its lyrical melodies, theatrical flair, and emotional depth, the Rahbani repertoire continues to resonate across generations and borders.

The concert will also feature members of the New York Arabic Chorus, as well as the world premiere of Mahhatat, a newly commissioned work composed by Layth Sidiq, Artistic Director of the New York Arabic Orchestra. The piece was written specifically for students from the Long Island University Music Department and served as the foundation for a series of preparatory rehearsal sessions introducing them to Arabic musical language and performance traditions. Through the composition, students engaged directly with the stylistic, rhythmic, and interpretive elements of this musical idiom. The orchestra is proud to be joined by these students for this special premiere.

Firas Zreik is a New York–based artist-composer, lyricist, and educator who has performed and recorded internationally as a leader and sought-after collaborator since 2013. He has transformed the perception of the Kanun through a nuanced approach that honors the instrument’s traditional roots while stretching its expressive possibilities across a variety of musical styles.

Comfortable in both highly orchestrated and improvisational settings, Firas brings depth, lyricism, and emotional complexity to his performances. He has collaborated with artists including Roger Waters, G.E. Smith, Residente, Simon Shaheen, Amir ElSaffar, and many others. His live work has taken him to major venues and festivals worldwide.

Firas released his debut EP Solo in 2020 and has additional recordings and projects featuring his original music. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Berklee College of Music, where he studied on a full presidential scholarship with double majors in Performance and Jazz Composition. As an educator, he has delivered workshops and taught at institutions such as NYU Abu Dhabi, Tufts University, and Berklee College of Music, and continues to offer instruction to a global community of students.