East of the River’s concert, “Hamsa”, will feature music from the regions of Andalusia, North Africa and the Ottoman Empire. The program will include songs and dances from liturgical and folk traditions as well as examples of classical instrumental music from the Ottoman court. These types of music are not built with Western musical conventions, but use the system of microtonal melodic modes called Arabic magam.

It will be the organization’s first public program presented at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary since Chatham Baroque moved there in January. The Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archeology on campus will feature a related exhibit of ancient coins, and East of the River’s Daphna Mor and Nina Stern will also give a talk, free to subscribers and ticket holders. Chatham Baroque, on the historical significance of “Hamsa”. “

Performances will be at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The conference will take place at 3 p.m. Chatham Baroque requires proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test for in-person attendance. COVID-19 safety protocols are subject to change. To visit www.chathambaroque.org before attending the concert for up-to-date information.