Hitting the high note, the story of the Iraqi Symphony Orchestra

Since the 1940s, the Iraqi Symphony Orchestra has survived wars, sectarian violence, international sanctions and political instability. The orchestra performed classical and Arab music in the 1960s and 70s but the 1991 Gulf War forced many foreign musicians to leave. 

During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, all its sheet music was looted and burned, and in 2018 musicians went without pay for months. Still, it continues to promote classical music and aims to preserve Iraq’s rich musical heritage. In this film, the orchestra tells the story of its survival.