Violins could be said to define an orchestra. Though debatable, everything else in an orchestra functions as merely accompaniments to the violin. The other strings fill up the blanks, woodwinds provide contrasting timbres, the percussion creates the power, but the violins give it a soul.
So many times you have been transfixed by the violin group as they move in synchrony, the instrument becomes an extension of the player, they tug at your heart strings with their melody, the bow racing fast and high, playing together to create some sublime moments.
A group of more than 30 violinists of the city, who are bonded by the Cochin Chamber Orchestra, form the heart of most of the music programmes, both ‘live' and the recorded ones beamed on television, across the state. It is from this group that most music directors of the South Indian film industry choose violinists for their recordings, and to pep up music reality shows in various languages.
For these professionals this symphony orchestra is the mainspring of their existence. While the other avenues provide them sustenance it is this orchestra that they turn to for relaxation, for a ‘kind of pleasure than nothing else offers.'
Formal launch
Though this violin group has been meeting and playing together for many years now with Cochin Arts and Communications (CAC), as the musical hub, it is this orchestra that has given them a renewed passion for the violin. “The orchestra was launched formally in 2011. We had the violins and violas but we had to bring in double bass, and cello players from outside. The next time we perform we may also have to bring a couple of viola players too,” informs Pradeep Singh, conductor of the group, who now shuttles between Kochi and Canada, where he works as a financial broker and also plays for the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra in Vancouver.
Despite its strong musical roots Kochi still lags in Western classical. “Even today there are very few expert cello players here. I think it is because of a lack of exposure. When our film music was centred in Chennai there were a few good cello and double bass players who played in these recordings. They have passed on this knowledge to the next generation there. By the time film music moved here the electronic instruments had come in. It replaced the lower strings section including the cello and double bass conveniently. We now have a lot of youngsters learning the electronic keyboard rather than the acoustic stringed instrument.”
Violins escaped this fate to some extent at least thanks to Rex Isaac. “Most of us violinists were exposed to systematic Western classical through Rex Master; and then through his disciples. It was he who put us through a systematic study, including notating and application. This was a time when most of Rex Master's contemporaries were learning by rote. Even some of the illustrious Thrissur-based violinists were Carnatic-based those days,” says Pradeep.
What makes this group of violinists special is the combination. During a performance it calls for perfect teamwork where the different violins become one. “Every player can sound different but the need is to create a symphony, unity. Along with individuality there is a combination. When we are contracted as a group, though there may be a demand for some popular names amongst us, we insist on a minimum number. This is apart from the individual calls we get for solos or to accompany a single musician. As a team, as a combination, we have clicked. Though there may be better individual violinists we are now preferred as a team, even for events in Chennai and Bengaluru,” informs Herald Antony, concert master of the orchestra.
This versatile ensemble of the violin family brings both spontaneity and polish to traditional classics and new pieces. “We play selected movements from masters like ‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' of Mozart, a part from Eduard Grieg's ‘Peer Gynt, Suite' Edward Elgar's ‘Strings Serenade,' Vivaldi's excerpts from ‘ Seasons' modern pieces like El Choco, Blue Tango, Badinerie, La Compersita, Brahms Hungarian dance pieces and more. We also play a couple of pieces of Rex Master, the Hindi transcription of songs like ‘Suhani raat…' and others,” says Pradeep.
Promising musicians
Of late there is a bloom of promising violin talents. Some of them like Carol George and Anna Amy Philips who play for Symphony Orchestra of India, Joby Jose and N. S. Cheenu, have mesmerised audiences with their talent. “What we need is a permanent orchestra in the city. A constant platform that would help popularise this genre. It is only a question of getting familiar with this brand for as a group we have won the love of the audiences here. We get a lot of support from Archbishop Dr. Francis Kallarakkal and Fr. John Capistan Lopez, director of CAC. I'm sure more youngsters will join us, the group will evolve and we'll get more opportunities to perform,” says Herald.
Cochin Chamber Orchestra can be contacted at 09995556711 or CAC at 0484-2390215.
