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Classical concerto
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The Madras Chamber Ensemble charmed the cognoscenti and the commoner. SOUVIK CHOWDHURY reports
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FOUR MEN, 18 strings, and a fervent wish that they come and play again. Thangadurai Samuel (guitar), George Samuel (viola), Prabhu George (violin) and Desmond Xavier (cell) are men who have spent the better part of their lives playing music with undivided attention and natural interest. So clearly, a concert by them is bound to be complete in character, imbued with the flair and expertise of experienced musicians.
Saturday's 86-minute performance by the Madras Chamber Ensemble (of which the quartet, with flutist S. Balakrishnan are a part) at Y.W.C.A auditorium marked a rare occasion where classical music became a reason to rejoice and serenade along.
Thangadurai Samuel (Guitar). Founder-president and conductor of the Ensemble. First classical guitarist to complete the practical part of the Trinity College of Music examination
Organised by Musee Musicals, repertoire in the concert, included Haydn, Schubert, Chopin, Faure Gabriel, Paganini and Luigi Boccherini. Interpretations were as delightful as the compositions themselves. A hush followed by hearty cheers saluted each number, as listeners sat absorbed as the exceptional musicians strummed sonatas after the other, with enthusiasm and élan.
The quartet started off with a slow and sedate Haydn symphony, building up the sombreness with a sharp Enrique Granada melody - a duet with the cello and guitar. The tempo took off when Thangadurai Samuel (founder-conductor of the good old Madras String Ensemble) went solo on the guitar with some upbeat and zesty tunes that mesmerised the audience and gave them a sample of what was in store.
Prabhu George (Violinist). Started playing violin from the age of 15, his father being the mentor. Successful musician who has worked with all reputed music directors of the South
And then flowed pure magic as deft fingers plucked acoustic notes of the viola and violin, supported commendably by the recorder (a 13th Centuryinstrument widely used to play Bach) and the flute. It was pleasant to see a highly acclaimed puritan band like The Ensemble playing to the galleries displaying an eclectic array of moods . Not that the contentment of connoisseurs had been forgotten, Chopin's waltz was particularly for their ears.
George Samuel (Violin and Viola). Professional violinist in the film industry for four decades. Mission is to popularise the viola among youth
"Classical music isn't such that lay listeners cannot understand and appreciate. After all, what is classical now, was popular once," says Thangadurai whose deep desire to promote western classical and guitar music has culminated in the formation and progress of the Ensemble, since 1988.
Band members, George Samuel, Prabhu George, Desmond Xavier and S. Balakrishnan - each with more than three decades of musical expertise behind them, reiterate the same opinion, and feel that crass commercialisation is responsible for the wane of Western classical music, not only in India but even abroad.
Desmond J. Xavier (Cello). Founder-member and principal cellist of the Madras Chamber Orchestra from 1975-89. Holds a diploma from Trinity College of Music, London in Violin and Cello (1972)
"Maybe it is a bane of progression, but can the electronic synthesiser with its profusion of programmed sounds, match the warm and mellow notes of the viola or the cello," asks Thangadurai ruefully. "But I am hopeful of a popular revival of this genre."
In what appeared to be a reflection of this anticipation, the second half of the programme had some remarkable musical moments. Kolo and Joporo (Serbian and Colombian folk-dance) played exquisitely by Thangadurai on the six-strings and Balakrishnan on the recorder galvanised a favourable opinion that classical music could make a fashionable comeback.
S. Balakrishnan (Flute and Recorder). Active member of the Madras Philharmonic and Choral Society for the past 25-years. Member of the Indian Performing Rights Society
The latter numbers, - Romance, Largetto, Amabile and Minuet of celebrated composers Paganini and Boccherini, were full of fiery passion and sensuousness as the guitar and violin vied with the other to express better emotion.
The concluding number, Danzalina - a Thangadurai original where the Madras Chamber Ensemble played in concert, seemed to underline the fact that classical music is not only entrancing but also, hugely entertaining - an opinion the audience would hardly disagree with.
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