KZNPO to host renowned musician in Durban City Hall on October 2 2008
The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra proudly hosts the highly acclaimed Indian musician and composer, Dr L Subramaniam, in concert with the Orchestra on October 2, 2008.
A distinctive collaboration between the Consul General of India, prominent businesses in the Indian Community and Africa’s premier orchestra, the KZNPO, this event is the pinnacle of four auspicious celebrations: the 25th Anniversary of the KZNPO, Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday, the birthday of Mahatma Ghandi, and the United Nations International Day of Non-Violence.
Dr Subramaniam, acknowledged as a child prodigy and later acclaimed as a master of the violin, obtained a Masters Degree in Western Classical Music in California and has received numerous internal awards and honours. He has performed, composed and recorded music across all genres from jazz and world music to Karnatic Classical Music and, of course, classical orchestral music, working with some of the great and diverse names in music today, such as Yehudi Menuhin, Herbie Hancock and Al Jarreau.
To date, he has produced, performed, collaborated, conducted and released over 150 recordings and has composed music for a select few films. He is the founder/director of the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival, the biggest global music festival in India.
Two of Dr Subramaniam’s compositions will feature on the programme: the appropriately titled Freedom Symphony, which enjoys its second performance since its premiere in 2007, and the Fantasy on Vedic Chants, which was written for the New York Philharmonic and premiered by Zubin Mehta, as well as being performed by the KZNPO in 1994. Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture and Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien will frame these two works.
The concert also features a special appearance by versatile and technically gifted singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, Dr Subramaniam’s wife, for whom he has written a part in his Freedom Symphony. Kavita has made an impressive career in the Indian film industry and has also performed with her husband in various contexts.
“It is a privilege not only for our Orchestra but also for our City, to welcome back Dr Subramaniam,” says Bongani Tembe, Chief Executive & Artistic Director of the KZNPO. “This concert is yet another example of how diverse cultures can find common ground in musical celebration and it is indeed gratifying to know that there are those in the business community who recognise this and support it so generously. We are indebted to all those who have made this event possible and hope that we can count on the support of Durbanites to make this a night to remember.”
Dr Subramaniam’s performance is part of the Shared Histories, the Indian Experience in South Africa festival that has been running in cities throughout South Africa and which encompasses a variety of cultural events. Mr Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Consul General of India in Durban, said: “The Indian Experience festival that has taken Durban by storm over the past five weeks was an effort to portray the best, most qualitative and representative version of India’s vibrant contemporary cultural scene. The Concert for Freedom performance by Dr L. Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurthy with Africa’s premier orchestra, the KZN Philharmonic, will be the grand finale of this magnificent festival - a unique experience not to be missed.”
The business community has come out in strong support of the festival and this particular event, with New National Assurance Company, iTalk Cellular and Mando’s Used Spares generously providing sponsorship for the Durban concert. Mr Mamoo Rajab, CEO of New National Assurance, said: “I can speak for all the sponsors of this event when I say that it is an honour to be a part of something that promotes sharing our heritage and cultural ideals. It is the responsibility of the business sector to ensure that we do not lose opportunities such as this because of a lack of funding. With our combined support, we can bring communities together to celebrate our different cultures and thereby promote tolerance and unity to build a stronger nation.”
Forming part of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra’s World Symphony Series Spring Season, the concert takes place at 19h30 at the Durban City Hall on October 2. Tickets, which range from R60 to R173, are available through Computicket and patrons are advised to book early to avoid disappointment. Contact Computicket on 083 915 8000 or visit www.computicket.co.za
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