Sunday Mid Day chats with Harvey de Souza, violinist and artistic director of Sangat 2010, an international chamber music festival that ends tonight
Sunday Mid Day chats with Harvey de Souza, violinist and artistic director of Sangat 2010, an international chamber music festival that ends tonight
Meet the brain behind Sangat, an annual three-day international chamber music festival that kickstarted on Friday at the national Center of Performing Arts. Harvey de Souza, a professional violinist, came up with idea in 1995 to tune the senses of Mumbai to the symphonies of maestros Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert.
Since then, the festival organised by the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation that promotes western classical music, has become popular among international musicians and Mumbai audiences. 
Chamber musicians practice before the final day of Sangat 2010
How difficult is it to get foreign musicians to play in India?
Mumbai doesn't feature in western classical music hubs like Berlin, London and New York, but musicians have come to realise that audiences here are not prejudiced to the music. Some are listening to the works of Brahms and Dvorak for the first time, so their reactions are fresh and honest. Performers love to play for such an audience. Once they play here, they come back every year.
How does the foundation promote music?
At the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, we have a course for children aged as young as four. We have around 950 students. We try to hold workshops on music appreciation, singing, instrumentals, teacher training and the theory of music, throughout the year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tell us about today's show.
We have some of the finest musicians from across London, Canada and the United States who will be performing works by western classical giants Schubert, Puccini and William Schuman. The composers' works have a beautiful interplay that the musicians have worked to perfect, practicing up to nine hours a day. It's going to be a great show.
AT: Tata Theatre, National Centre Performing Arts, Nariman Point, 7 pm
CALL: 23823644
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
