Pianist Tala Tutunji is half Turkish and half Palestinian. She grew up in Jordan, studied in the UK, and now splits her time between Jordan and London. Her aspiration is to bring musicians together to transcend distance, borders and culture.

Tutunji runs Middle Eastern music courses at Chelsea Music Academy, which she founded with composer Bushra El-Turk. Her next London performance will be at Concert for Peace and Prosperity: Eastern Voices – Western Echoes at Cadogan Hall on 20 February.

We caught up with her for our World in London series.

How long have you been based in London?

I moved to the UK when I was 14 and went to Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. I came to London from 2005 to 2009 and this is where I did my Masters at Trinity and also worked at the same time.

Right now I’m based between London and Jordan. For this year I’m based in Jordan but I’m always coming in and out of London. I can’t stay away! I travel to London whenever I have concerts, which is four to five times a year.

How would you describe your music?

I was classically trained, so there’s a strong Western classical influence. But because I’m Middle Eastern I try to do a fusion of both worlds and explore that.

I perform music which is by contemporary Arabic composers. It could include the piano and also Arabic instruments at the same time, such as the qanun, which has the same strength and body as a grand piano but is smaller.

We did an event for Opera Holland Park in October last year where we were asked to “Arabise” popular Western operas. It was a really interesting event.

We worked with the opera singers from Opera Holland Park and brought some Arabic musicians, and instruments like the nai, which is the Arabic version of the flute.

What can people expect to see and hear at the concert on 20 February?

I’m really excited to perform in this concert because there are many opera singers from Syria, Jordan, Jerusalem and Lebanon. We’ll be performing with the Orion orchestra, a Western orchestra. It will be an interesting blend of Western classical opera with Arabic music as well.

The music is based on a Lebanese folk tune but also has the Western classical influence. I’m going to speak a little bit in Arabic, trying to act as a vocalist at the same time. It will start Western and gradually get more Oriental towards the end of the concert.

With the Arab Spring it’s the perfect thing to do, to try and stretch the boundaries and explore all the different influences.

Do you have any other performances coming up in London?

We’re planning to do another event, Al Bassara (the fortune teller). We’ll probably work with more Eastern European influences on that. Hopefully that will be in summer 2012 in London, we’re not sure where yet.

Tell us about the Middle Eastern music courses at Chelsea Music Academy

We’re organising various events including Middle Eastern workshops for people. We’re working in London to spread the word on Middle Eastern musical influences.

Sometimes, prior to a concert, we do various workshops so people know more about the music when they come to a concert.

Where else would you go for a taste of Jordanian culture in London?

I know a lot of Lebanese and Palestinian places but I haven’t been to anywhere in London that has a Jordanian taste – yet!

There’s the Anglo Jordanian Society which does a lot of things. And there are the Maroush restaurants which are practically Jordanian. There are a lot of events organised through SOAS.

Now that I’m away from London for a while I really appreciate the eclectic feel of London. Sometimes when you leave you start to appreciate what it’s all about!

Do you have more Jordan in London recommendations? Let us know in the comments below.

Seventy years ago this summer, the first Luftwaffe bombers attacked London beginning what became known as the Battle of Britain.

Over the next few weeks, there are plenty of events in memory of this incredible period of London’s history during World War II. If you want to revisit the Battle of Britain in London, check out the following events:

BBC Big Band: Hits from the Blitz, Cadogan Hall, 12 Aug
Hits from the Blitz is a celebration of the greatest music from the war-time era, including nostalgic classics like We’ll Meet Again, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, and White Cliffs of Dover.

Battle of Britain at Churchill War Rooms, 17 Aug-31 Aug
Throughout the second half of August, there will be a number of exciting and unique events at Churchill War Rooms to remember the Battle of Britain.

Battle of Britain Fly-Past, Whitehall, 20 Aug
A Spitfire and a Hurricane will fly over Whitehall to commemorate the Battle of Britain on 20 August, after Winston Churchill’s speech referring to “the few” is played at the Churchill War Rooms.

Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Concert, Chartwell, 4 Sep
Just outside London, National Trust’s Chartwell is Churchill’s former home. The Central Band of the Royal Air Force will take centre stage for a twilight concert commemorating the Battle of Britain. The band will be supported by period aircraft, archive film, special effects and narration. Visit www.synergyeventsuk.com for more info.

Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Living History Weekend, Royal Air Force Museum, 11-12 Sep
Bring the whole family to the RAF Battle of Britain Living History Weekend at the Royal Air Force Museum to watch re-enactments and learn more about life during the battle.

Battle of Britain, Royal Festival Hall, 11 Sep
Get in the mood with a nostalgic blend of swing hits and wartime favourites at this Royal Festival Hall concert. With readings from High Flight and speeches from Churchill. Plus a traditional singalong to 1940s favourites Underneath the Arches, Run Rabbit Run, Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line

Battle of Britain Concert – A Musical Commemoration, Royal Albert Hall, 3 Oct
Timothy West introduces a stirring programme to commemorate and honour the Royal Air Force. The program features wartime favourites with readings from High Flight and speeches from Churchill and Henry V. Plus a ukulele tribute to George Formby.

The RAF in Concert, Barbican, 24 Nov
This year’s prestigious Royal Air Force in Concert officially commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with an exciting and nostalgic programme of music that will conjure up the atmosphere surrounding Britain’s “finest hour”.

Are you going to an event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain? Let us know in the comments below.

Many London schools have already broken up for the Easter break. My plan is to spend a relaxing Easter with the family, but the week of 12 April, which is the second week of the school Easter Break, I’m hoping to see Billy Elliot: The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

The musical recently celebrated its 5th anniversary and on my show on Magic 105.4, I gave listeners the opportunity to see the musical in New York on Broadway.  Unfortunately, I don’t have time to go to New York during the Easter break, but I’m sure seeing it at the Victoria Palace will be just as exhilarating! 
 
I’ve also put two other events in my diary, both post-Easter; firstly Welsh superstar soprano, Katherine Jenkins will be performing at a Magic Indulgence event on 6 April, and lucky winners of tickets will be able to meet her!

Later in the month – 20 April – I’ve got tickets booked at the Cadogan Hall in Chelsea to hear some gospel singing and entertainment from the London Community Gospel Choir, who I’m sure will bring the Easter spirit to the venue.

Whatever you have planned over the Easter period, I wish you a happy and peaceful time.
 
Until next time…