On 6 February 2021, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and cellist Jean-Guihen Queras, under the direction of Pascal Rophé, will premiered the new cello concerto by Benjamin Attahir, Al Icha as part of the Festival Presences 2021.  

A few words from the composer about the work:  

The fifth and final work in a cycle organised around the five moments of Muslim prayer in the day, Al Icha is a dive into the deep and warm night. It is the final call that closes the passing of the Hours, a slow passage from one sensation, from one colour to another.

A closer listen leads us to think we heard a half-forgotten Yiddish melody, a dreamt Gregorian clausula, the reverberant echo of muezzins in the four corners of a town almost fast asleep...

A move from one towards the many, then the many become one, the Three merge.

Four times, they will raise their hands up behind their ears. Four times they will pronounce the invocation. Four times they will recite. Four times they will bow down.

And it will always be the same time. And it will always be a new time.

Benjamin Attahir

Benjamin Attahir - Al Icha
Concerto for cello
World premiere: 6 February 2021
Auditorium de la Maison de la Radio
Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello
Pascal Rophé, conductor
Information...

Swiss premiere: March 1st, 2023
Stadthaus (Winterthour, Switzerland)
Musikkollegium Winterthur
Jean-Guihen Queyras, vcello
Duncan Ward, conductor
Information...

Benjamin Attahir knows how to please the greatest musicians of our time with scores immediately recognised as timeless masterpieces. As proof and a preview before a series of premieres this month, our exclusive interview with Jean-Guihen Queyras, memorable performer of Al Icha, the cello concerto whose premiere deeply impressed its first public:

Consult the score : 

Listen to the recording of the work on the France Musique website by clicking here: