The riq’ however, is alone as a percussion voice in this ensemble. The oud was adopted into the European family of instruments as the lute and mandolin and it is immediately clear when the orchestra takes its seats that it is on stage with distant cousins, the theorbo and the baroque guitar. Joseph is a long-time friend and collaborator with Tognetti and a seasoned composer and performer both in Australia and on the international stage. Re‑uniting with Tognetti and the ACO for this concert tour are Australian-Egyptians oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros and his brother James, a master of the riq’.

In a signature move by Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO), modern and little‑known pieces were to be juxtaposed against the most well‑known classical repertoire to reveal inherent intimacies of style, melody and technique. The capacity audience may well have entered Hamer Hall wondering what Middle Eastern instruments the oud and riq’ have to do with Venice and the “red Priest” but they were soon to find an answer: “everything”. R. Tognetti, J. Tawadros (© Courtesy ACO) The Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard Tognetti (Director & Violin) Joseph Tawadros (Oud), James Tawadros (Riq’ & Bendir) Tanburi Angel: Makām-i-Rehavi Cember-i-Koca (Ottoman March)

Joseph Tawadros: Kindred Spirits – Permission to Evaporate – Eye of the Beholder – Give or Take – Point of Departure – Constantinople

Vivaldi classical guitar