Sunday, Feb 12, 2-4 pm at Het Spiegelhuis, Arnhem
Indian music follows a long and unbroken tradition over the past 2500 years and is represented by a variety of different genres from classical and semi-classical to folk and popular music. This concert features the sounds of traditional North Indian music.The selection of songs, some of which were written by famous Indian Saint-poets, date back to the 15th and 16th centuries and are based mainly on themes of love, devotion and spirituality. They are interpreted through the ragas of Hindustani Classical music in the traditional style, emphasizing the meaning and creating a mood, highlighted by particular vocal techniques and the play of the accompanying instruments.
The sarangi is a bowed string instrument with three main and 35 resonating strings, with a haunting resonance that closely resembles the human voice. A difficult instrument to play, it has been the perfect traditional accompanying instrument for North Indian vocal music for many centuries.
The tabla is the quintessential Indian percussion instrument, played in a pair that is capable of producing the most sophisticated sounds. It has the capacity to produce a sound rich in pitch and timber and the most intricate rhythmic patterns under the skills of the player.
Samhita Mundkur from Mumbai, India has received formal training under several teachers since the age of 8 years and is well versed in a variety of genres of traditional Indian music. Having had the opportunity and good privilege of working with some great and leading artistes in her formative years in Mumbai, Samhita has performed on radio and television and participated in several musical and theatrical performances in India, France, Kenya and Malaysia. She currently teaches in the Indian Music Department at the Rotterdam Conservatory, Codarts.
Marianne Svasek is a gifted singer of Dhrupad, the oldest form of classical singing. Traditionally a male oriented form, she has the special accomplishment of being one of the few women who practice this style. She has the privilege of training for the past many years with the foremost artists specializing in this genre. In addition, she also studied sarangi. She graduated cum laude in both disciplines at the Rotterdam Conservatory where she is presently teaching. Marianne gives workshops and concerts in Europe, the US, India and Pakistan.
Ganesh Ramnath is a young, multitalented musician in the field of North Indian classical music, well versed in tabla as well as in the vocal style. He has had the honor to accompany many of his Masters in prestigious concert halls and he has also participated in music festivals all over Europe. He finished his studies in tabla and vocal music in 2008 summa cum laude. He received the Stipendium Award from the Rotterdam Conservatory, Codarts based on his exceptional study results and artistic qualities.
