Gig review/ SOI Academy Orchestra

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Concert: SOI Academy Orchestra 

Conductor: Marat Bisangaliev

Genre: Western classical 

Details: Tata Theatre NCPA, April 16

Rating: ****

The magic of Austrian composer Joseph Haydn's 'Piano Concerto No 11' was brought out immaculately by nine-year-old Ayaan Deshpande at the Tata Theatre on Sunday evening. As soloist in the three-movement composition, he charmed the audience with his confidence and technique, even playing two cadenzas. Another young pianist, Vihaan Bamugade, dazzled on French composer Paul de Senneville's melodious 'Mariage D'Amour'.

The occasion was a performance of the SOI Academy Orchestra, conducted by the seasoned Marat Bisangaliev, music director of the Symphony Orchestra Of India (SOI). A majority of the participants were in their teens or maybe younger, having been trained at the Academy. One of them, violinist Nyra Jain, became the first to complete the 11-year course envisioned.

While the soloists dazzled in their pieces, a highlight was the coordination shown by the musicians as members of the orchestra, as they followed the conductor's cues spontaneously. Besides the large string section and piano, the orchestra had flute, saxophone, clarinet, French horn and assorted percussion.

In keeping with the experience of the group, the programme focused on shorter, uncomplicated and light pieces, beginning with a Harry Potter medley composed by John Williams. Barring the Haydn Concerto and Italian composer Luigi Boccherini's 'Minuet And Trio From String Quintet', the compositions were from the modern era.

One of the highlights was American composer Leroy Anderson's 'The Typewriter', a comedy-laced piece featuring an actual typewriter played to orchestral accompaniment. 'Dance' by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins featured the SOI Academy Choir, directed by Olga Vykhodseva.

A sizeable section of the audience consisted of family members of the young performers. Thus it was only appropriate that after the western fare, a Bollywood medley was played. Many hummed along to 'Yeh Shaam Mastani', 'Ajeeb Dastaan' and 'Piya Tu', played on violin, cello, flute and other orchestral instruments.

The SOI Music Academy was launched in 2012 to offer an advanced level of music training, previously not available in India, to talented young children. Under the supervision of Bisangaliev, students receive a holistic music education that is inspired by the Russian Conservatoire method. The teachers are professional musicians trained across Europe and are full-time members of SOI. From Sunday's performance, it was evident that the talented children are in perfect hands.