Malek Jandali

"America was founded by refugees and now here we are utilizing our talents and our resources as artists and collaborating ... to celebrate our American values and support poor [Syrian] refugees,” composer and pianist Malek Jandali told Houston Public Media in 2016. Jandali, who was born in Germany and raised in Syria, was discussing his Piano Quintet No. 1, “Aleppo,” premiered by the Apollo Chamber Players in Houston. Jandali’s compositions integrate Middle Eastern modes into Western classical forms and harmonies. They range from chamber music to large-scale orchestral works including three symphonies and concertos for violin and piano. His albums Syrian Symphony, SoHo, Hiraeth, and The Jasmine Tree premiered respectively at Carnegie Hall in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Hailed by Fanfare magazine as "a major new addition to the 21st century's symphony literature," Jandali’s music has been performed by numerous leading orchestras around the world, such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra. He is the founder of Pianos for Peace, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building peace through music and education.