Malek Jandali is “a uniquely gifted composer” (The Washington Post) and “a major new addition to the 21st century’s symphonic literature” (Fanfare magazine). His “deeply enigmatic” music (Gramophone) with “heart-rending melodies, lush orchestration, clever transitions and creative textures” (American Record Guide) spans a broad body of work that includes eight symphonies, seven concertos, four string quartets, and his upcoming full opera, The Square. His “inspiring and thought-provoking music further expands classical music” (NPR) and his large-scale orchestral works engage major philosophical themes that 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.
Photo by Theresa Wey ©
Jandali’s compositions have been commissioned, performed, and recorded by leading symphony orchestras worldwide, such as the Royal Philharmonic, Vienna Radio Symphony, Russian Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony, and the Zagreb Philharmonic. Jandali’s works consistently make a profound impact on his listeners around the world. Says Maestro Alsop, “Jandali belongs among the superb composer poets of our time—a meaningful voice of quite astonishing, almost unearthly beauty.”
“a uniquely gifted composer… among the superb composer poets of our time.”
“Elegant”
Musical America
“Deeply enigmatic”
Gramophone
“A smart composer”
Classics Today
“Music making of the highest caliber.”
Marin Alsop
“A major new addition to the 21st century’s symphonic literature by a master of the orchestra.”
Fanfare Magazine
“Inspiring and thought provoking, it further expands classical music.”
NPR
“Unique alchemy of European classical structures and Syrian architectural details.”
THE WASHINGTON POST
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Malek Jandali is a renowned Syrian-American composer and pianist known for his evocative compositions that blend classical music with traditional Middle Eastern melodies. His work often carries themes of cultural preservation, freedom, and human rights.
An endless passion for music—for discovery, for people, for life—defines Malek Jandali’s artistic journey. As a celebrated composer and pianist, Jandali has captivated audiences worldwide with his unique fusion of classical traditions and ancient Middle Eastern musical heritage. His compositions transcend borders, telling powerful stories of resilience, culture, and humanity.
Malek Jandali 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 skill 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.
Jandali is composer-in-residence at both Queens University of Charlotte and at Qatar Museums. He is the founder and CEO of Pianos for Peace, 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.
