Mumbai, The host: One of the best western music platforms in the world - the Worlds Symphony Orchestra Festival in Russia . The invitee: Indias first fully professional orchestra - The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) a creation of the National Centre for the Performing Arts. On June 11, 2010, the SOI will make history, as it will play at the Fifth Festival of the Worlds Symphony Orchestras in Moscow. They will play on the concluding night, as part of the Grand Finale, in the presence of the highest echelons of Russian society. This will be SOIs maiden international performance as it plays alongside some of the best orchestras in the world.
For the SOI, it is a great honour for two very special reasons - The first being, that the SOI has been invited to perform on a platform which has been graced by some of the greatest orchestras of the world. According to a Russian musicologist, this unique cultural event has acquainted the public with the worlds most popular orchestras, - And for the SOI to be counted as one of them, in a short span of four years, since its inception, makes the debut truly special. Second, that the event has been slated to take place on Russia Day, whose importance is akin to our Republic Day.
The SOI will present Beethovens masterpiece, the 9th Symphony, with Conductor Maestro Alexander Anissimov, as it did on September 26 and 27 last year at the NCPA. However, this time round it is with a renowned Russian choir and soloists at the historic Hall of Columns in Moscow.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Khushroo Suntook, Chairman, NCPA, says, Taking a symphony orchestra to Russia is akin to taking coal to Newcastle. The SOI is extremely proud of being invited to perform the Beethovens 9th Symphony in one of the music capitals of the world - Moscow. It is an honour for an Indian orchestra to be invited to a country known all over the world for its contribution to the world of Western Classical Music.
SOI Music Director Marat Bisengaliev who has provided a solid foundation for these young musicians is very proud of this achievement. Its a breakthrough for the SOI and a compliment to the mentoring capabilities of the NCPA. Russia is a highly competitive market for any musician or orchestra. Moscow is known for its high standard of concerts and the Hall of Columns is one of its jewels. This is the perfect international beginning and inroad into the world of opportunities for international touring and recording for the orchestra, says Marat.
As they leave for Moscow, one can only hope that this creates a wider circle of opportunity for Indian musicians in the western classical genre both internationally and nationally.
About Russia Day
Igor B. Karyakovtseff, from the Association of Chief Executives of Symphonic and Chamber Orchestras in Russia writes:
Russian Declaration of Sovereignty Day or Russia Day is one of the youngest state holidays in the country. On June 12, 1990, on the occassion of the sovereignty of Union Republics in the USSR, the first Congress of the Peoples Deputies of the RSFSR adopted the State Sovereignty Declaration of Russia.
In 1994, this day was declared a state holiday. Officially, this is the most important of the countrys modern state holidays. From this date, it is possible to perceive the beginning of the formation of the new Russian state, based on the principles of constitutional federalism, equal rights and partnership. The declaration, adopted on 12th June, 1990, became the symbol of the rebirth of a renewed Russia.
About Symphony Orchestra of India
The Symphony Orchestra of India is the countrys first fully professional symphony orchestra, performing a series of concerts at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai over the course of two seasons, in September and February each year.
The SOI was formed in 2006 as the result of an on-going collaboration between the NCPA and the internationally acclaimed violinist, Marat Bisengaliev, who serves as the orchestras Music Director. Players are recruited from an international field, but the orchestra places a great emphasis on developing musical potential within India itself. To date, there are 16 Indian players representing the finest local talent and providing a solid foundation for the future of orchestral playing in this country.
Besides presenting orchestral and chamber music concerts, the SOI will be available as a prestigious accompanying ensemble for soloists as well as for ballets, operas and musicals. It will also offer its services internationally as a resource for making recordings.
Notes to Editor
About the NCPA
Inaugurated in 1969, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, exists to provide leadership on a national level as Indias premier performing arts, research and training centre through the presentation of Indian and international art forms, the promotion of excellence and the preservation of Indian & International cultural heritage.
For further information please log on to www.ncpamumbai.com
For media queries please contact:
Hanmer MS&L Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Yasmin Ranijiwala
Email: yasmin@hanmermsl.com
Shawna DSilva
