The 18th edition of the Artie's Festival promises to be bigger and pack in a few firsts this weekend
Introduced in March 2008, the Arties Festival is a bi-yearly collaboration between the NCPA and chamber musician Gauthier Herrmann that brings Chamber Music played by young musicians to the city. “The musicians have three things in common: They can compare with the finest in Europe, they are ready to play for a good cause and they have an uncompromising love for India,” says Herrmann. “This will be a larger edition with 11 musicians from Artie’s chamber orchestra playing chamber versions of big orchestral works like Mendelssohn: Italian symphony, Mozart: Marriage of Figaro overture, Richard Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel and Wagner: Siegfried Idyll,” he adds.
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Another difference this time is that members of The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) will join Artie’s musicians in two pieces. “Music is all about collaboration with the composer, the audience, the organisers, fellow musicians and colleagues. The idea of Artie’s collaborating with SOI musicians was always there, but this time we felt that the opportunity was right. They will perform Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll and Chaldea Fantasia by Eros Babylone. The choice of the works depended on the time available for rehearsal and the suitability of the pieces. These two pieces seemed most doable,” says Herrmann. The piece is Chaldea Fantasies by Eros Babylone was specially composed for us; it will be the first ever performance in India,” he adds.
Admitting that the audience for Western music has evolved over the years, Herrmann says, “The festival started in India because of the immense love and knowledge of Indian audiences and for their warmth and friendship, and of course, for the great Indian food! The audience is certainly more aware, enthusiastic and more young people attend concerts today. The audience in Mumbai is knowledgeable, appreciative and friendly. The best we’ve had.” Apart from the festival at the NCPA, the musicians will also perform as part of the ongoing Prithvi Festival, this Sunday. “We are looking forward to the ambience and audience at Prithvi Theatre because we have been told a lot about it. The concert is a surprise,” teases Herrmann.
On November 7 to 9, 7 pm
At Experimental Theatre (7&8) and Tata Theatre (9) NCPA, Nariman Point.
Call 22824567
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