Classical music is best experienced live. Rhea Dhanbhoora tells you why the NCPA is a good place to get your fill this month
EVENT bach’s goldberg variations at NCPA
If classical music is what soothes your soul, you are in for an experience of a lifetime. The NCPA is bringing you musical geniuses from across the globe. Played around the world for over 25 years, you can now witness the transcription of Bach’s Goldberg Variations by violinist Dmitry Stikovetsky. Performing for the first time in India, he will be joined by French violinist Gérard Caussé and cellist Henri Demarquette, playing two concerts and supported by the Alliance Française de Bombay as well as the Alliance Française de Pune.
NCPA chairman, Khushroo Suntook, says, “Dmitry, who has become a good friend of the NCPA, has been performing a wonderful arrangement of Bach’s Goldberg Variations for violin, viola and cello and his conductorship of the same has won awards internationally. Mumbai will be fortunate to experience great artistes in this work and other masterpieces.”
This Wednesday, the programme includes Beethoven’s Serenade Op. 8 and Bach’s Goldberg Variations, which are said to have been composed by Bach for harpsichordist Johann Gotlieb Goldberg at the request of the Russian ambassador to Saxony Count Kaiserling.
Thursday’s performance includes the Mozart’s Duo No. 1 for violin and viola, followed by Duo for violin and cello that Ravel composed on request by Henri Prunières. The last performance, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of India will be the prodigy Mendelssohn’s Octet Op. 20, composed when he was just 16.
Dmitry Sitkovetsky says, “You have to hear the Goldberg Variations in concert — it would seem that you have lived an entire life through all the 30 variations and then you are transformed to a different world when the aria comes back. I have played with both Gérard and Henri, many times in various chamber groups, and accompanied them as a conductor, but we are not a permanent string trio — this is a special project we are doing for India.”
Henri Demarquette agrees, adding, “The Goldberg Variations is one of biggest artistic realisations of all times. It is, at the same time, close to us and far beyond our human condition. Listening to it in concert is an experience that has a lot to do with the expression of the time. This is the reason why, I am sure, Indian audiences will appreciate this monumental work.” We suggest you trust them and head over for two nights of truly moving music. The concert tickets Cost Rs 500, Rs 300 and Rs 200.
When January 9 and 10, 7 pm onwards
Where NCPA, Nariman Point
Contact www.ncpamumbai.com; www.bookmyshow.com; 66223754