Yes readers, you are up to something pretty much different and nice. Yesterday, I got a chance to attend this special musical and dance presentation by a polyglot group of artists belonging to various countries ranging from Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay, Sweden, etc. Don’t blame me if you don’t understand some terms and names though I have tried to explain them a bit.
To start, it was unique and I would be loading you with a lot of information, simply because this is the first time for me also to come across such wonderful musical instruments. The concert itself was organized by Embassy of Switzerland in India and Indian Council of Cultural Relations.
I have been to some western musical concerts and have listened to loads of them in connection to Sri Sathya Sai Baba. But this was a unique opportunity because I was actually attending it. I don’t understand western classical music as such, though I don’t understand any type of music, but still, I like its subtle movements and variations that never allow the audience to be unattentive. While at the same time, Indian classical music is more rhythmically powerful, the western classical music thrives on harmony. This concert was unique because it brought a very special type of music played by a special set of instruments.
Okay here we go:
The group consisted of artists playing various instruments of Baroque Music, which is a very particular type of music related to 16th-17th century Europe. The theme was developed by the famous Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, who was a famous baroque composer and Venetian priest. Four Seasons, a series of four violin concerti, is his best-known work and a highly popular baroque piece created by Vivaldi.
From Wikipedia
Baroque music describes a style of European classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1750. This era is said to begin in music after the Renaissance and was followed by the Classical era. The word “baroque” came from the Portuguese word barroco, meaning “misshapen pearl”, a strikingly fitting characterization of the architecture of this period; later, the name came to be applied also to its music. Baroque music forms a major portion of the classical music canon, being widely studied, performed, and listened to. It is associated with composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Jean-Baptiste Lully, George Frideric Handel, Arcangelo Corelli, Claudio Monteverdi, Jean-Philippe Rameau and Henry Purcell. The baroque period saw the development of functional tonality. During the period, composers and performers used more elaborate musical ornamentation, made changes in musical notation, and developed new instrumental playing techniques. Baroque music expanded the size, range, and complexity of instrumental performance, and also established opera as a musical genre. Many musical terms and concepts from this era are still in use today.
I had heard this name, Vivaldi, before but I knew nothing about it. So, overall a very learning and enlightening experience. Usually, I don’t like to reach late for a concert, but yesterday, we got a bit late–I was accompanied by Sukhchain, my friend.
The musical presentation itself was very sublime and powerful at the same time. The violin players were literally out of the world. One main part that I liked in the violin players was the enjoyment that they themselves experienced while playing those pieces. If an artist is not enjoying the music itself, the audience can’t enjoy it.
Once again, I was not able to click too many photographs because it could have disturbed the audience. The music was subtle and there should not be too much movement while they were playing.
After 2-3 pieces of musical compositions, there was dance piece led by recorder player, Marrice Steger. Overall, it was a very good presentation. After the presentation, I talked to many of the artists and had a very good time getting small information about their instruments and the group.
Now, I would like to share their names:
Dancers:
Bruna Dondoni
Marco Bendoni
Nick Nguyen
Stage Direction & Choreography
Nick Nguyen
Ensemble Musica Fiorita
Maurice Steger–Recorder
Roberto Falcone–Baroque Violin
Miki Takahashi–Baroque Violin
Adam Romer–Viola
Caroline Tarras-Wahlber–Baroque Cello
Giuseppe Lo Sardo–Violone
Hiram Santos–Bassoon
Margit Übellacker–Psalterio
Rafael Bonavita–Baroque Guitar
Juan Sebastian Lima–Theorbo
Daniela Dolci–Harpsichord and Conductor
I wish I could have gone a bit earlier to attend the opening ceremony because it is this time when the artists are quite informal with the audience. But still, I got to chat with lots of them and enjoyed a lot. I wish the group a lot of success and enjoyment when they give joy to the audience with such a finely crafted music and dance!
