Malek Jandali (http://MalekJandali.com) is “a uniquely gifted composer” (The Washington Post) and his music has been hailed as “a major new addition to the 21st century’s symphonic literature” by (Fanfare magazine). His symphonies, concertos, and upcoming opera, The Square, have been commissioned, performed, and recorded by leading orchestras and distinguished soloists around the world. Through his works he seeks to promote cultural communication and understanding. His large-scale orchestral works engage major philosophical themes and integrate Arabic maqams (modes) with persuasive craft and a marked seriousness of purpose that echo UNESCO’s call to preserve and protect the rich cultural heritage of his homeland Syria.

Jandali has produced ten albums of lauded performances encompassing more than forty of his compositions. He is the first Arab musician to have arranged the oldest example of music notation in the world, which was featured on his 2008 album Echoes from Ugarit. Jandali is the recipient of the 2014 Global Music Humanitarian Award, and in 2015 the Carnegie Corporation of New York honored him as a Great Immigrant, a Pride of America.  

Composer-in-residence at both Queens University of Charlotte and at Qatar Museums, Jandali is also the founder and CEO of Pianos for Peace (http://PianosForPeace.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to building peace through music and education. Malek Jandali was born in Germany and raised in Syria. He now makes his home in Atlanta and New York City.  

Home is where Jandali’s music start and his Saxophone Quartet composed in New York City during the winter of 2018 and titled Home is based on several forgotten themes from his homeland Syria that were skillfully integrated into the Western classical form of the quartet. The final result was a unique harmony and a dialogue for unity and humanity in attempt to preserve the beauty of the rich culture of Syria.

Since its inception, music has become a cultural phenomenon. It is something people relate to on emotional, instinctive, intellectual, and many other levels. It has affected Jandali greatly as well and instilled in him a desire to unite the primal with the contemporary and to create music that tugs at the heart and mind. Thus, the birth of this saxophone quartet, which is based on ancient themes from the composer’s homeland, Syria. 

As a musician with a mission, Jandali feels that the duty to preserve and present the rich heritage of his beloved homeland, at the moment that humanity is witnessing the eradication of the cradle of civilization. It is his hope that integrating ancient melodies from beautiful Syria and the Silk Road into his compositions will create music that serves as a humanizing force, one which is common to all. Jandali’s music is dedicated to you, the listener. May you find harmony and peace.