Symphony Orchestra of India Opens Spring 2025 Season with Zubin Mehta and Alexander Gadjiev
The Symphony Orchestra of India, led by Zubin Mehta, launched its Spring 2025 Season with a stunning performance featuring Alexander Gadjiev. The program included works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Dvořák, showcasing exceptional artistry and musicianship.
The Symphony Orchestra of India, under the baton of the legendary Maestro Zubin Mehta, opened its Spring 2025 Season with an electrifying performance that showcased their artistry and musicianship. Presented by the NCPA and the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, the evening featured the renowned pianist Alexander Gadjiev, whose virtuosity added an unforgettable dimension to the program.
The concert began with Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, a powerful work that reflects the themes of struggle and triumph central to the composer’s only opera, Fidelio. Under Mehta’s precise and emotive guidance, the orchestra delivered a stirring interpretation, capturing the grandeur of Beethoven’s vision. The dynamic contrasts and climactic brass fanfares were expertly rendered, setting the tone for an evening of exceptional music-making.
Next, Alexander Gadjiev took the stage for Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, a work of lyrical beauty and Romantic depth. Gadjiev’s interpretation was both introspective and luminous, particularly in the Larghetto, where his delicate touch created a dreamlike atmosphere. The interplay between soloist and orchestra was seamless, with Mehta ensuring that the ensemble provided a sensitive backdrop to Gadjiev’s poetic phrasing. The Allegro vivace was a display of dazzling virtuosity, earning Gadjiev a resounding ovation.
The program concluded with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, a masterpiece of dramatic intensity and emotional depth. Mehta, whose long-standing association with the Vienna, Berlin, and Israel Philharmonic Orchestras has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest conductors of our time, brought a profound sense of structure and character to the symphony. The first movement’s brooding themes unfolded with gripping intensity, while the Scherzo had an infectious energy. The final movement was a tour de force, with the orchestra responding to Mehta’s direction with precision and passion, bringing the evening to a triumphant close.
Zubin Mehta’s presence added a historic significance to the event. Born in Bombay in 1936, Mehta received his first musical education under his father, Mehli Mehta, the founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra. His illustrious career spans decades and continents, with leadership positions at some of the most prestigious orchestras worldwide.
As the Spring 2025 Season continues, audiences can look forward to three remarkable upcoming performances. On 1st February, the Symphony Orchestra of India will present a symphonic double bill featuring Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor—two powerful works that explore themes of struggle and triumph.
On 7th and 9th February, over 200 musicians will come together for two grand Opera Gala concerts, featuring excerpts from Bizet’s Carmen and Verdi’s La Traviata. These performances will bring to life the drama, romance, and passion of two beloved operas. Four internationally acclaimed soloists—Roberta Mantegna, Olesya Petrova, Luciano Ganci, and George Petean—will join the Symphony Orchestra of India, along with the Living Voices—Mumbai Choir and the children’s Singing Tree Choir of the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation.