Know Your Composer
The celebrated Indian composer Vanraj Bhatia passed away on 7 May, just a few weeks shy of his 94th birthday. I listened and fell in love with Bhatia’s music without even realising it. I refer to the signature tune of the popular TV serial ‘Khandaan’, the ‘Liril’ soap advertisement
Opinion
Isolation appears to have taken an unexpected turn for the Resident Conductor of the SOI, Mikel Toms. The longer the current lockdown drags on, the more you may have noticed my increasing resemblance to Napoleon. Certainly, once a fortnight as I stand beslippered in my back garden, sawing away at
Know Your Composer
The collection of music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) commonly referred to as the “works for solo lute”, has been the subject of study and debate for centuries. The arguments have recently been focussed on whether or not Bach wrote these pieces for the lute, lautenwerk (a lute-harpsichord hybrid)
News
There are several developments in the offing at the NCPA as the Symphony Orchestra of India welcomes a new double bass player, two teachers and three apprentice players into the fold. By Beverly Pereira An orchestra, as it were, is a microcosm of perfection—a group of musicians intimately working
News
Beginning this Friday, May 14, Carnegie Hall will offer weekly free full-length concert streams via carnegiehall.org, featuring legendary classical musicians in inspirational performances from some of the finest concert halls around the world. The new series, Carnegie Hall Selects, celebrates great artists, composers, and musical works that have had
News
Anil Dharker’s passing leaves an aching void in the intellectual and cultural life of India. Chairman Khushroo N. Suntook reflects on his cherished association with a dear friend, erudite writer and great supporter of the arts. If you ever imagined an Indian, particularly one representing the country in an
News
On Monday 10 May, Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic will perform to a tested audience of 350 at the Rudolfinum in Prague. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, the concert marks the Czech Republic’s first cultural event with a live audience since the autumn. The gala concert featuring
Music Education
I’ve just finished reading Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, the marvellously candid account of a mother and her two musical daughters. It’s really about what drives us, why we do things and constitutes a fascinating insight into the pursuit of musical excellence. But at what cost? I
Know Your Composer
Despite the worsening coronavirus pandemic in India, the media circus over the Bengal elections has been so all-consuming that one hopes the birth centenary of Satyajit Ray (2 May 1921 – 23 April 1992), one of its great sons of the soil doesn’t get forgotten. The 51st edition of IFFI
Features
This continues the discussion exploring the association of music and poetry, comparable to the “ekphrastic” relationship of poetry and art, and various ways music can appear in poems. How do other poets respond to classical music? I attended a few weekend poetry retreats in Chester, Connecticut led by Dr. June
News
“Christa Ludwig was a legend, even during her lifetime. In opera, oratorio and lied alike, Christa Ludwig set inimitable standards with her vocalism and personality. The Salzburg Festival is infinitely indebted to her,” Artistic Director Markus Hinterhäuser expressed his grief at the wonderful singer’s death. Christa Ludwig gave the
News
The Royal Danish Academy of Music, The Royal College of Music (London), Manhattan School of Music, and The mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna announce the launch of The Global Conservatoire. This new digital learning environment, or “global classroom,” will expand each partner school’s course offerings, opening
