The Kuwait Music Academy (KMA) marked a notable return to the concert stage in October 2026 with a successful gala celebrating Argentine music, an event initially scheduled for May of the same year but postponed due to challenging circumstances. The performance took place at the Yarmouk Cultural Center, drawing a full house of attendees eager to reengage with social and cultural gatherings.
This special concert commemorated Argentina’s National Day and was organized in collaboration with the Argentine ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Ramiro Hernan Velloso. The event enjoyed the patronage of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) and the Yarmouk Cultural Center. Ambassador Velloso emphasized the role of art and music in fostering cultural connections and strengthening diplomatic ties between nations.
The evening began with the KMA Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Viktor Shramko, performing the national anthems of Kuwait and Argentina. The subsequent "Concert of Masters" featured works by prominent Argentine composers alongside performances by Kuwaiti musicians, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Argentina, notably through the evocative rhythms of the tango. Originating in the late 18th century from diverse immigrant and African influences, tango has evolved into a symbol of Argentine identity and was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Central to the program was the music of Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992), a celebrated Argentine composer known for his modern interpretations of tango. Piazzolla’s compositions were performed by the acclaimed piano duo Kinga and Karol Masternak, who also accompanied other soloists, including clarinetist Viktor Shramko and violinist Dmitri Kolesnikov. Vocal performances of Argentine songs were delivered by Kinga Masternak and Kamil Deryło, adding further depth to the tribute.
The event also featured compositions by other Argentine luminaries such as Carlos Guastavino, Carlos Gardel, and Ariel Ramírez. The Masternak duo’s rendition of “Invitation to the Tango” by Polish composer Alexandra Brejza received particular acclaim. The program concluded with the well-known song “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, underscoring the universal appeal of music.
Highlighting the evening’s focus on emerging talent, Kuwaiti pianist Dana Ahmed Rabeea, a student of Karol Masternak at KMA, performed a piece by Alberto Ginastera. Rabeea, recognized for her numerous international awards including first prize at the Seventh International Chopin Competition in Kuwait in 2025, demonstrated the growing strength of Kuwait’s musical landscape.
Following this successful event, KMA announced plans to host the upcoming Eighth International Chopin Competition in Kuwait, offering both online and live formats. The academy aims to continue nurturing young musicians who can follow in the footsteps of past winners, including Faisal Al-Bahairi (2010) and Dana Rabeea (2025).