A shared music

The Symphony Orchestra of India, the country’s first professional orchestra of western classical music, made its international debut on Friday.

The bows rise and fall, now slow, now fast, in tempo with the music bouncing off the walls. The men’s dress shirts gleam white. The women are in black dresses, net stockings and heels, their hair elegantly swept up. The director pauses, hums something as he thinks it should be. Intent, the faces around him nod, and the bows rise again. This time, it’s perfect. Little bits of happiness erupt as the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) rehearses, in small parts, its recital of the Ode to Joy, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

On June 11, the 84-member Symphony Orchestra of India made its international debut at the historic Hall of Columns in Moscow, on the concluding night of the Fifth Festival of the World’s Symphony Orchestras, which coincides with Russia Day celebrations.

It’s a tough job coordinating an orchestra where all the musicians aren’t even in Mumbai — many, including conductor Alexander Anissimov, will fly directly to Moscow from their respective countries. Naturally, days before the performance, Marat Basangaliev, music director of the SOI, is a busy man, with his two cellphones ringing constantly as we speak.

“I wish I could just focus on the music and leave the administration to others,” the internationally-acclaimed violinist complains, “but that’s impossible.”

The Symphony Orchestra of India — an ongoing collaboration between the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai and Marat — is India’s first fully professional symphony orchestra. Just four years young, the SOI is honoured by the invitation from Moscow. The stage is one where some of the world’s greatest orchestras have performed, and an invitation to perform here is an endorsement of their talent and hard work. “I also think they liked the idea of an Indian orchestra. It would be new and exotic,” adds Marat.

But is the orchestra entirely Indian? “No. Western classical music still doesn’t have its due space in India. Most people here just don’t have the 10-15 years of experience it takes to reach global standards of excellence,” Marat explains. “I try to promote Indian musicians, but I pick the best, Indian or not. My aim is not to be all Indian, though that’s desirable, but to be the best.”

Back in India, each February and August, the SOI’s Celebrity Concert Season enthralls audiences with international talent. The next season (this August) features Andrew Lloyd Webber bringing opera and musicals to India. Classical music and Sir Webber? Before I can ask, he explains, “We are trying to appeal to a large number of people by going beyond classical music. Right now there aren’t enough takers for Western classical music in India.”

Things should, or could, change in 10-15 years’ time. The NCPA and the SOI are actively promoting young musical talent in India, using the Suzuki method of musical education to inculcate a love for Western classical music in children. Tiny tots are taught to appreciate music without learning notes and chords in the traditional way. “Eventually Western classical music in India will find a much larger appreciative audience,” hopes Marat, cautioning that these things take time, but “it will happen.”

Till then, the orchestra plays on.

BANDS, CHOIRS AND ORCHESTRAS

Western classical music has a passionate, though limited following in India. Amateur orchestras such as the Bombay Chamber Orchestra and the Calcutta Chamber Orchestra have been around and Pandit Ravi Shankar also set up the National Orchestra of India in the 1950s. A brief look at some other initiatives, recent and not-so-recent:

CHOIR GROUPS
It is choral music, far more than operas, symphony orchestras or concerts that has currency in Indian cities. Most metros have choir groups, that are very active during the winters. Some of these such as the Capital City Minstrels, Madrigals Etc of Bangalore, the Youth Choirs of Calcutta and Madras, as well as some from the North-east have over the years, expanded their repertory beyond the traditional choral songs to include vernacular, even secular compositions.

Among the other noteworthy initiatives is the Neemrana Music Foundation, which promotes Indian and Western classical music. Their productions are cross-cultural events, all of them operas so far, that have been staged across India.

MAIHAR BAND
Established in 1918, the Maihar Band was the brainchild of Alauddin Khan, or Baba as he was better known. After an epidemic orphaned many children in Maihar in Madhya Pradesh, Baba brought together some of these children to form a band, teaching them to play a variety of musical instruments. Combining Hindustani classical music with folk and Western music, using a range of instruments from both traditions, this band was a truly Indian symphony orchestra. The band, however, lost impetus after Baba’s death. It is not associated with the Madhya Pradesh government and occasionally performs at national cultural events.

K.M. MUSIC CONSERVATORY
Launched in 2008 in Chennai to train promising musicians, the school was conceptualised by A R Rahman. Essentially a space for professional musicians to hone their talents. Rahman plans also to form an Indian orchestra of ‘international standards’.