The National: Malek Jandali's vision for Arabic symphonic music and the sound of legacy

Composer and pianist Malek Jandali (http://MalekJandali.com) founder of Pianos for Peace (http://PianosForPeace.org) interview with The National discussing his vision for Arabic symphonic music and the sound of legacy. This conversation explores art as activism and the future of Arab orchestral music. A classically trained pianist with performances spanning Vienna, Sydney, Chicago and London, Syrian-American composer Malek Jandali has dedicated his career to preserving and elevating Arabic symphonic music on the global stage. Jandali speaks about the inspiration behind his non-profit Pianos for Peace, a movement that transforms pianos into public artworks before they are donated to schools, hospitals and refugee centers. Jandali also reflects on art’s duty, which he says goes beyond entertainment, as well as its power to unite, heal and archive culture for generations to come. Jandali shares how he integrates Arab melodies into the classical canon, and composes with a view towards a legacy he hopes will last “for a hundred years after my death”.