The Prince George Symphony Orchestra performance this Sunday blends Indian and European Classical music traditions.
The Concerto for Tabla and Orchestra by Sri-Lankan-born Canadian composer Dinuk Wijeratne has been performed around the world.
Mixing the rhythmic structures and complexities of this quintessentially Indian musical instrument with a symphony orchestra leads to a colourful array of style and sound. The composer doesn’t limit himself to orchestral music, either – there is a definite pop flavour to parts of the piece.
Soloist Shawn Mativetsky has devoted his life to the tabla, and is himself a pioneer in bridging the worlds of Western and Indian classical music. “I’m so excited to be in Prince George performing this piece,” said Mativetsky, who is based in Montreal. “It is always a real joy to bring this music, and this wonderful instrument to a new audience – and for people who know the instrument, to hear it in a brand new context.”
It's an artistic challenge for the orchestra, as it always is when the musicians get to work with an artist outside of the western classical tradition, but the orchestra is up for it.
“This is a piece I’ve wanted to program for some time,” said PGSO Music Director Michael Hall. “It’s an incredible fusion of musical traditions that’s really quite unique. We love to challenge ourselves as musicians, and working with artists from different artistic backgrounds than our own is always such a treat.”
The concert will open with the overture from Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio, an earlier example of the influence of eastern traditions by a Western composer.
The show starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov 19 at Vanier Hall. Tickets are available online at PGSO.com or at the door.
