Bows played in unison and the glorious melody of strings filled the atmosphere at the Bangalore School of Music East West Centre as string maestros rendered an evening of string music. As part of their annual music festival, the school's student artistes and special guest artistes delivered a phenomenal concert of acoustic finesse titled “Music in every corner” to a packed audience.
The musical celebration of strings commenced with Jean-Baptiste Barrière's Sonata in G Major (Adagio) with cellists Laura Haertel and Anup Abraham recreating the genius' 300 year old masterpiece with professional perfection. The gentle blending of the Baroque era composition paved way to another piece of the same era — Antonio Vivaldi's Violin concerto in A minor (Allegro) played by Madhura M. Her fingers raced across the neck of the violin with brilliant dexterity in a musical treat fitting for the kings. Maestros Laura Haertel on the cello and Luise Boerner on the violin packed an anthemic expression of melodies with G.F. Handel's Sonata in A Major. The spirit-lifting infectious strains wound in tight, melodic, and rhythmic nuances engulfed the audience as the duo blended strings in symphonic harmony.
Tiny tots Meera G. and Sadanand V. on the violins accompanied by young Sriram G. took stage next for some regaling street music with Shanna Metallidi's “Village Musicians”. The little prodigies performed the piece with skilful gusto exuding brilliance beyond their age.
Laura Haertel followed up with a solo cello piece of Bach's Suite in D Minor (Sarabande). The charming melodies reflected inspiring beauty as the maestro rendered the work of art effortlessly.
Renowned young virtuoso Jasiel Peter stole the show with Bach's “Partita” in E Major (Gavotte en Rondeau). Exuding cascading waves of energetic musical extravagance, Jasiel personified pure sonic genius. Transporting the listeners to a spiritual dimension, Saloni R. enraptured the audience singing Franz Schubert's “Ave Maria”. Her angelic voice held the crowd in awe as she captivated them with music divine.
An exuberant magical spell of orchestral nuances followed, by Luise, Laura, Meera G., and Sooraj M. as the foursome beautifully recreated Arcangelo Corelli's Concerto grosso Op. 6. Philip P., Jasiel and Joy Peter played a season special Adolphe's “Cantique de Noël” next followed by Ravel's “Bolero” by Aditya R. K. and Laura.
Luise and Arun Rozario set the stage on fire next with M Keller's “Spanish Tango” and “Flamenco Andaluz”. The fiery duo of violins blazed a storm of rhythmic and melodic ballet pieces in foot-tapping spirit.
The magical evening that many in the audience wished never ended climaxed with a grand finale by the Young Maestros Quartet comprising Jasiel and Joy on violins, Divya R. on viola and Anup on the cello. Performing four pieces spanning across different styles and eras the quartet painted pictures through the power of musical expression.
The pieces Debussy's “The girl with the flaxen hair”, Vivaldi's “Autumn”, Rachmaninov's “Vocalise” and Bock's “Sunrise, Sunset” emoted vivid textures and colours.
As the artistes gathered on stage for a final bow, the audience received them with thunderous applause for an evening etched in their hearts forever.
