Tune in for some western classical now
All those with a refined ear for western classical music are in for a treat this fortnight.
By TNN |
MUMBAI: All those with a refined ear for western classical music are in for a treat this fortnight. The NCPA-promoted Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI), started on August 7, 2006, is holding its third concert season between September 8 and September 23.
The concert will feature renowned international musicians like virtuoso violinist Marat Bisengaliev, the music director of the SOI for the 2007/08 period, conductor Alexander Anissimov, Russian soprano Irina Krikunova, cellist Denis Shapovalov and clarinetist Michael Collins, who has been nominated by the Royal Philharmonic Society of London as the ‘British Instrumentalist of the Year 2007’.
“Till last year, India was host to many visiting artists from across the world, but we didn’t have a dedicated full-time professional orchestra,” said KN Suntook, vice-chairman, NCPA. Western classical music has survived for more than 300 years and is gaining in importance in Asian countries like China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea, he added.
SOI is the first fully professional symphony orchestra in the country, offering a series of concerts in September and February each year. The orchestra comprises 70 musicians from across the world, including 12 from India, chosen by Bisengaliev. Indians chosen to join SOI are provided educational programmes, including lectures in western music and individual lessons, which will improve their understanding of the western classical tradition and their role as international orchestra musicians.
Suntook met Bisengaliev in 2003 in a concert in London and invited him to start a professional set-up in India in 2005. “In an era of globalisation, I thought it was essential that we roped in the best talent from across the world,” said Suntook, pointing out that even Berlin Philharmonic, which barred entry to musicians from outside Berlin until some years ago, is now wooing talent from foreign shores.
Besides promoting western classical music in the country, SOI wants to identify talented musicians in India and help them reach international standards. Over the past year, about 12 Indians have been trained by the Russian School of Teaching under Bisengaliev.
Apart from playing orchestral and chamber music concerts, the orchestra will be available as an accompanying orchestra for soloists, ballets, operas and musicals, and plans to offer its services to international musicians for recording purposes.
The concert will feature renowned international musicians like virtuoso violinist Marat Bisengaliev, the music director of the SOI for the 2007/08 period, conductor Alexander Anissimov, Russian soprano Irina Krikunova, cellist Denis Shapovalov and clarinetist Michael Collins, who has been nominated by the Royal Philharmonic Society of London as the ‘British Instrumentalist of the Year 2007’.
“Till last year, India was host to many visiting artists from across the world, but we didn’t have a dedicated full-time professional orchestra,” said KN Suntook, vice-chairman, NCPA. Western classical music has survived for more than 300 years and is gaining in importance in Asian countries like China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea, he added.
SOI is the first fully professional symphony orchestra in the country, offering a series of concerts in September and February each year. The orchestra comprises 70 musicians from across the world, including 12 from India, chosen by Bisengaliev. Indians chosen to join SOI are provided educational programmes, including lectures in western music and individual lessons, which will improve their understanding of the western classical tradition and their role as international orchestra musicians.
Suntook met Bisengaliev in 2003 in a concert in London and invited him to start a professional set-up in India in 2005. “In an era of globalisation, I thought it was essential that we roped in the best talent from across the world,” said Suntook, pointing out that even Berlin Philharmonic, which barred entry to musicians from outside Berlin until some years ago, is now wooing talent from foreign shores.
Besides promoting western classical music in the country, SOI wants to identify talented musicians in India and help them reach international standards. Over the past year, about 12 Indians have been trained by the Russian School of Teaching under Bisengaliev.
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Apart from playing orchestral and chamber music concerts, the orchestra will be available as an accompanying orchestra for soloists, ballets, operas and musicals, and plans to offer its services to international musicians for recording purposes.
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