Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra: A Progress Report

Music Director Karim Wasfi: “We’ve moved forward a lot since 2008. I’m now able to struggle with artistic quality – getting the music right – rather than logistics or mere survival. … Now, the orchestra has expanded to 90 members. We’ve put on very fine performances of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and Grieg’s piano concerto, Wagner, Brahms and specially commissioned works by Iraqi composers.” (Yes, bombs are still a problem.)