BENGALURU: A western vocal concert based on hymns inspired from the ancient text of the Rig Veda is not something you hear of everyday. However, such a unique concert will be staged by a choir from the Bangalore School of Music (BSM) this weekend. Led by Jonas Olsson, a trained classical singer from the Gothenburg Conservatory and the voice faculty at BSM, the concert is not an enactment of the Rig Veda per se but a performance of twelve hymns called ‘The Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, written by Gustav Holst, a British composer who wrote them between 1908 and 1912. “Primarily known for his orchestra suite, The Planets, Holst was greatly influenced by India and the Vedic scripts in the beginning of his career.
What makes the Choral Hymns so interesting for us is the fact that it takes one part of the Indian heritage and puts it to life through a strict Western Classical composition tradition,” says Jonas. The concert will be performed by BSM’s all-male voices ensemble, The Bangalore Men, consisting of 15 singers. Jonas started the choir back in 2015 and is also its conductor. He has been with BSM since 2015. Highlighting some of the difficulties in conducting and performing such a concert, Jonas says that it primarily lies in the “time language and rhythmical language” which draws from the Indian classical tradition. “It is therefore quite different to sing for us as western classical singers. The texts are Holst’s own translations from Sanskrit to English,” says Jonas.
The performance will consist of twelve hymns of different character and spirit, some lively and stirring while others eerie and desolate, says Jonas. “Most of the hymns praise the various elements like fire, water, dawn and so on, and Holst really let’s this be reflected in the music. Being written at the turn of last century, the compositions also have a mystical touch to them, reflecting the composer’s fascination with India,” he adds. Jonas aim with the concert is to showcase an “amazing way” of bridging East and West. “This mix of East and West is particularly appealing and also shows that music is truly universal, regardless of faith and creed. Being able to perform this music in the country that inspired Holst to compose the pieces is a great thing,” says Jonas. Besides Bengaluru, the group will also take their performance to Kochi, Trivandrum and New Delhi.
The performances will be held on August 26 at the Aruna Sunderlal Auditorium at BSM and on August 27 at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. It will go to the other aforementioned cities between August and November.For more details visit the website:http://www.thebsm.net/