Music in Baghdad

The "world's bravest symphony orchestra" continues to rehearse: the Iraqi National Symphony, formed in 1959.

US Apache attack helicopter roared across the sky, flying low and fast. In the distance, there was the dull thud of an explosion followed by brief machine-gun fire. Everyday noises of Baghdad. Then, suddenly, from behind a flaking white wall, the sounds of a Chopin concerto floated up in the air. The people hurrying by in the street paused, momentarily, to listen as the notes faded away.

Following the US-led invasion of 2003, most of the instruments and the music collection was looted or burnt by a mob. The instruments and the music have been slowly gathered together by the orchestra's own efforts and donations from abroad. In 2003, they played the Kennedy Centre in Washington, with President George Bush and senior administration officials attending. But, since then, 25 of the members have joined the two million Iraqis who have sought sanctuary abroad from the upsurge in violence.

The article in The Independent reports that they're rehearsing Beethoven's Ninth, but doesn't mention a chorus.