The SOI Chamber Orchestra in Bengaluru

The pulsating city of Bengaluru shares a special bond with the NCPA. Stellar concerts as part of Citi-NCPA Aadi Anant, a festival of Indian music, have regularly taken place at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall. Virtuoso music by the SOI Chamber Orchestra has resounded through the revered halls of Ranga Shankara on evenings fondly remembered by aficionados. In March, four performances from the NCPA filled the open-air expanse of Freedom Park with the sound of ghunghroos, harmonies, drumbeats and spoken word. During its recent sojourn in the city, the chamber orchestra once again dazzled the discerning audiences of Bengaluru at its new cultural destination, the Prestige Srihari Khoday Center for Performing Arts. Rain, traffic and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in late June could not deter over 700 attendees from stepping out to watch musicians of the Symphony Orchestra of India, the country’s only professional orchestra co-founded by Mr. Khushroo N. Suntook, Chairman, NCPA and violin virtuoso Marat Bisengaliev. The 25-member ensemble, conducted by Barbara Popławska, was accompanied by the 10-year-old piano prodigy, Ayaan Deshpande.

As the bells rang, guests gracefully entered the auditorium with their programme notes in hand and the evening began with a masterly performance of Gioachino Rossini’s String Sonata No. 3. Ottorino Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances, a testament to his abiding interest in the music of the Baroque and Renaissance eras, kept the momentum going. Pianist and educator Aman Mahajan, who was in the audience, spoke of the virtuosity of the individual players that contributed to the “SOI’s monumental talent.” He said, “I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the concert right from the very first notes. I loved the infectious rhythm of the Respighi piece.” 

The orchestra seamlessly criss-crossed through classical and jazz realms with Leroy Anderson’s A Trumpeter’s Lullaby, showcasing Adil Ukibayev as the soloist. Popławska described the programme as one designed to creatively engage the audience with contrasting musical landscapes transitioning from soothing and serene to rhythmic and vibrant. 

When little Ayaan Deshpande took his seat at the piano after the interval, it was awe-inspiring to watch him tackle Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 with remarkable composure, crafting his own cadenzas—a testament to his gift. Trained rigorously at the SOI Music Academy, Deshpande has also performed in Kazakhstan and has been a winner of the Golden Key of Vienna Music Festival in 2023. Under the mentorship of Marat Bisengaliev and Aida Bisengaliyeva, and with unwavering support from his parents, he exemplifies the pinnacle of classical music aspirations. Bisengaliyeva highlighted a critical aspect of Western classical music education: students often lack the freedom to express their natural selves. She emphasised that Deshpande’s innate talent needed to be nurtured in a way that allowed his imagination to flourish. As he graced the stage in Bengaluru with the SOI Chamber Orchestra, parents leaned down to their toddlers, whispering words of inspiration, perhaps so that they may pursue what they love with similar passion.

Neecia Majolly, concert pianist, singer, conductor and educator, recalled her experience of the evening:

“What stood out for me was A Trumpeter’s Lullaby. We hear familiar harmonies in blues and jazz and pop even. Along with the classical repertoire, it made it truly special for me. Ayaan Deshpande was an absolute delight to listen to. Often when you see young talent in classical music, the expression does not come through even though they execute everything well. I really liked how expressively Ayaan played and with great dynamics. He has a flair for Mozart, and his musical journey ahead will be an exciting one to follow.”

Alexey Yurushkin brought to life Pedro Iturralde’s ‘Pequeña Czarda’ with his energetic stage presence and a beautiful custom-made Yanagisawa saxophone. It was a fitting finale to the evening, which ended in a standing ovation. It was a rare spectacle to watch conductor Popławska tap her feet to it before leading the orchestra in the encore as it performed Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’. With every musician shining, the arrangement featured the entire ensemble, including special voicings and Igor Avdeev’s unique drumming style. The orchestra dedicated the timeless jazz standard to the people of Bengaluru.

Muhammed Ali, Chief Executive Officer - Retail, Prestige Group, echoed the audience’s sentiments in his closing note,

“This particular partnership showcased the pinnacle of musical excellence and brought a world-class experience to our community. It has also fostered a deeper appreciation for classical music setting a new benchmark for future events.”

By Aditya Veera Venkatesh. This piece was originally published by the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, in the October 2024 issue of ON Stage – their monthly arts magazine.