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The Abu Dhabi Classics season continues into 2009 with a musical pairing designed to delight and entertain symphonic enthusiasts and fans of the animated classics. It will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.

On January 10 at 8pm, the Emirates Palace Auditorium will welcome Maxim Shostakovich acclaimed conductor and son of one of classical music's most admired composers, Dmitri Shostakovich for an evening entitled 'Shostakovich conducts Shostakovich'.

As a special precursor to the main event, the evening's programme will start at 7pm hours with a 15-minute large screen showing of an animated adaptation of the 'Prince Ivan and the Firebird' fairy tale, created by a team of talented young artists from across Abu Dhabi's schools, with a musical score based on Stravinsky's Firebird, performed by 40 young local musicians.

The hotel lobby will also offer a special multi-media presentation, including touch screen information for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this unique project, as well as an introduction to the evening's programme.

On January 11 will host The Magical Music of Walt Disney at the Abu Dhabi National Theatre. The Philharmonia Orchestra, London, under conductor Allan Wilson, will bring to life a repertoire of timeless Walt Disney classics from some of the most popular animated movies of all-time.

Starting at 6pm, the concert will feature a hand-picked selection of melodies written by musical greats including Beethoven, Gershwin and Sir Elton John.

The programme will include excerpts from the Pirates of the Caribbean as well as modern-day classics including The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, performed against the colourful backdrop of a giant movie screen.

One of the world's leading music animators, Paul Rissmann, will guide music and movie lovers of all ages through both evenings with his colourful commentaries and enchanting stories.

Tickets for both events are available at www.abudhabi-classics.com, www.timeouttickets.com.