Composer Karl Jenkins talks about conducting the Symphony Orchestra of India on his first trip to the city.
Excitement continues to build within the walls of the NCPA as the sixth season of the SOI is set to kick start on a grand note on Valentines-Day.
“This is probably the most ambitious attempt we have made,” says chairman, Khushroo N Suntook who seems to have spared no effort in bringing together a line-up of some of the most renowned musicians for this season. Director, SOI, Marat Bisengaliev confirms, “This is the first step in a new direction that we want to peruse.”
The tabla, bansuri and classical Indian dancers will share the stage with Karl Jenkins — the acclaimed composer of the Adiemus — one that Bisengaliev believes will take audiences in the city by storm. “Yes,” exclaims Jenkins, “I am excited about working with the SOI.”
Known to study a culture through its music, Jenkins has on occasion woven into his compositions the tabla and the sitar — some of his favourite instruments, the sounds of which immediately invoke visions of an exotic India. “I’ve only scratched the surface really since it is harder to integrate Indian ‘classical’ music into western than it is with some other ethnic music,” he says.
There will be many highlights to Jenkins’ visit here. There is of course the violin concerto, which was especially written to showcase Bisengaliev’s talent. There is also, premiering in Asia for the first time — Sarikiz — Jenkins’ latest composition which was performed only last month at the Lincoln Centre in New York for the first time ever.
“Music is universal and should communicate and reach people on an emotional level. Sarikiz was written for violin, orchestra and some Kazakh percussion. The percussion is such that it can be transferred to instruments from other cultures, so in this instance we are using Indian percussion,” says Jenkins. And in the spirit of firsts, pianist Ilya Itin and cellist Borislav Strulev will also be joining the orchestra.
Intrestingly, Jenkins’ connection with the SOI runs far deeper. His son, Jody and daughter-in-law, Rosie have been playing under Bisengalievs’ guidance at the orchestra for a few years now.
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