The Ayoub Sisters – “Arabesque”

It wasn’t that long ago that boundaries in music were clear-cut! On the one hand you had classical music that was defined by artistic merit and intrinsic aesthetic value – this wasn’t music composed with a view to quick marketability among the masses. No, it was supposed to offer long-lasting quality. This “classical music” subsumed everything from symphonies to chamber music to opera – the “art” music that’s long been intended for consumption in the hallowed venues of concert halls and opera houses. And then, on the other hand, there was “light” music whose purpose was primarily entertainment, diversion and commercial exploitation: popular, easy-listening genres like salon music, operettas, music hall, musicals and even entire styles such as pop and rock. But back in the “Classical” era with a capital “C”, no one had any notion of such distinctions. Haydn’s chamber music was used for entertainment at court, Mozart’s divertimenti were played at social events, and the dances that Beethoven composed were functional in intent. Luckily, the fierce debate about popular-versus-serious music has meanwhile died down, and the resultant openness is giving rise to new styles, new musical languages and new genres.

The Ayoub Sisters are a wonderful example of this new freedom, and they’re coming with their ensemble of 20 musicians to prove it in Andermatt. Their music celebrates cultural fusion, blending Western classical traditions with the rich melodies and rhythms of the Arab world. The Ayoub Sisters are a Scottish/Egyptian instrumental duo comprising Laura Ayoub on violin and Sarah Ayoub on the cello. They are well-known for their powerful musical chemistry and distinctive crossover style, combining classical, contemporary and Middle Eastern influences in their performances and in their own, original arrangements. They were raised in Glasgow by their Egyptian parents, and both trained at the prestigious Douglas Academy School of Music before continuing their studies at leading conservatoires in the UK. Sarah studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, while Laura trained at the Royal College of Music in London. They rose to international attention as a duo after their debut album, recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, reached No. 1 in the Official Classical Artist Albums Chart. Since then, they have performed internationally across the UK, Europe, in the Middle East and beyond, appearing in renowned venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the London Palladium, the Cairo Opera House and the Dubai Opera.