Staff Reporter
Barcelona’s own maestro Tomas Grau returns to the InClassica International Music Festival hosted in Dubai in April 2025 with the Franz Schubert Filharmonia, showcasing Alexey Shor’s works and timeless symphonic gems. Representing Spain on the world stage, Grau will conduct 2 concerts on the 8th and 14th of April featuring world renowned soloists Gil Shaham (USA) and Edgar Moreau (France).
Tomàs Grau, a Spanish conductor renowned for his musical precision and sincerity, has established a reputation as an artist whose imaginative readings deeply resonate with audiences. As Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Franz Schubert Filharmonia, he has brought his refined musical talent to prestigious venues across Spain, USA, Switzerland and beyond, collaborating with prominent soloists and international orchestras alike. Honing a natural ability to evoke light and delicate emotions in every score, Grau’s artistry continues to captivate listeners worldwide, establishing him as a celebrated maestro of classical music.
This year, the musician will grace the stage at the Dubai Opera as part of the 14th edition of the iconic 2025 InClassica International Music Festival, leading the Franz Schubert Filharmonia in two highly anticipated concerts. This historic event marks the virtuoso’s return to the festival, where, accompanied by 72 talented musicians from the Spanish-based orchestra, he will present performances on April 8th and 14th, alongside celebrated soloists. “I am thrilled to return to the InClassica Festival,” he says, ”It’s a very unique event compared to other festivals as it offers a spectacular line-up of artists that come together in Dubai for two weeks, supported by symphony orchestras of the highest quality. Being part of this event once again brings me a great deal of satisfaction.”
Tomas Grau, Spanish Conductor
A significant highlight of Grau’s return to InClassica will be his collaboration with cellist Edgar Moreau and violinist Gil Shaham. Performing for the first time with both soloists, Grau shared his thoughts, saying, ”I greatly enjoy making music with new artists, as well as with those with whom you share a deeper understanding on stage. On a human level, it’s wonderful to frequently collaborate and make music together.”
This year’s event holds special significance as it celebrates the 55th birthday of Alexey Shor, the festival’s composer-in-residence. Tomas Grau, who has performed many of Alexey Shor’s works in the past, praised the composer’s spirited approach, which integrates thematic elements, lyrical melodies, and poetic features. ”Alexey Shor’s music is very cinematic,” Grau explains. “It features an abundance of colours and textures with a strong emphasis on melody, making his music a pleasure to perform as it’s easy to listen to and profoundly connects with audiences. In today’s contemporary music, melody is often less prominent or even completely absent, leading to a disconnection with the audience. However, this is never the case with Shor’s music.”
Alexey Shor, InClassica Composer-in-Residence
At the upcoming festival, Grau will conduct Alexey Shor’s Cello Concerto No. 3 and Violin Concerto No. 4, two pieces he has not yet performed but has been preparing with great enthusiasm. ”Each concerto is different from the other,” he says. ”The Cello Concerto, for example, has nothing to do with the Cello Concerto No. 1. It stands out for its beautiful central Elegy, as does the Violin Concerto No. 4, which has an extreme inner strength and simultaneously presents virtuosic for the soloist.”
His concert programmes will also feature a diverse selection of works spanning both classical masterpieces and contemporary compositions, with highlights including Ludwig van Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 “Italian”. Grau expressed his excitement about these pieces, stating, ”Tchaikovsky’s Fourth is one of my favourite symphonies, which I have conducted many times. It has the theme of fate always present and features a first movement that is one of the most impressive pages in the history of music. On the other hand, Mendelssohn’s ‘Italian’ is an entirely different symphony, with a vibrant palette of colours but a devilish last movement.”
As he prepares for his monumental performances, the maestro reflects on the significance of the festival’s move to the region. ”The work that the InClassica Festival is doing to bring the world’s best artists to Dubai is a crucial step forward for classical music in the GCC region. I envision a future where we can create a symphony orchestra comprising of local musicians that could tour the region bringing classical music to different communities and, perhaps, the construction of a concert hall where this orchestra could be based.”
