For the first time since the pandemic began, India’s symphony orchestra has returned to the national stage with a series of concerts outside its hometown of Mumbai.
For the first time since the pandemic began, India’s symphony orchestra has returned to the national stage with a series of concerts outside its hometown of Mumbai.
His melodious vocals often spread like clouds of fragrant incense in every concert hall. Except for the odd gloomy piece, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart can be the mascot of good cheer, his musical light and enthusiasm, even in these dark times. The composer who achieved early stardom with every type of opera or symphony he composed reached the zenith of the classical form. He also revealed dissonances imaginatively, with notes unfolding with dramatic tempo and rich timing. It is therefore fitting that the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) Chamber Orchestra, based at the National Center for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, chose ‘Overture’. Figaro’s weddingOne of Mozart’s finest operas, to mark his return to the national stage two years later.
Conductor Mikel Toms | photo credit: special arrangement
Over a phone call, SOI’s resident conductor Briton Mikel Tomes, who found himself leading India’s first professional orchestra, founded in 2006 by NCPA president Khushru N. found their way here from where they had previously worked together. Bisenglive is over 15 years old.
“When the role of Resident Conductor came out, I was very interested and it all seemed fine. We did four concerts before the pandemic took the wraps off. Toms, who is both a flautist and a pianist, majored in music at Oxford and began conducting at the age of 20. He has recorded CDs for several labels, conducted other orchestras, worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded for the BBC and is now working on recording music by Tagore.
“Mozart goes down very well with Indian audiences, so we play him a lot. People are so hungry for his music,” says Tomes, adding that the concert will also include Ludwig van Beethoven. pastoral symphony, one of the few works of his that contains programmatic material. “Chennai will be our second port of call after two concerts in Bengaluru, although we have performed in Mumbai sporadically through the pandemic. We call on Indian musicians to send in their compositions later this year, hoping to incorporate some of their works into our repertoire and our teaching programs.
SOI Chamber Orchestra conducted by Mikel Toms at Experimental Theatre, NCPA | photo credit: special arrangement
Some of the 35 musicians of different nationalities are residents of Mumbai. “Online rehearsals as a group often didn’t work. So individual practice was important during the lockdown. On getting permission, we rehearsed in small groups,” says SOI general manager Xerxes Unwala. “Our academy lessons also went online at this point. Musicians are selected for the quality of their music on the basis of auditions conducted by Bisengaliev, observing that we perform at international standards. We try to keep the group as stable as possible; Some have been with us for almost 16 years. But we also look for musicians who can try to create the next pool of talented young western classical musicians in India. The orchestra’s repertoire is extensive, from Baroque to contemporary, with a leaning partly for the classical.”
This is how Mozart’s score in D major for ‘Overture’ with his flamboyant strings and lilting bassoon would open the evening. The piece is a pulsating journey of happiness that erupts into a grand fanfare—enough to herald the return of the good times.
The concert is on June 19 at 7.30 pm at Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall. For tickets, www.5oh9.com.