I saw and heard Zubin Mehta’s concert on the banks of Dal Lake
I am not going into the controversies surrounding this concert. I am not qualified to review this maestro. The following are my observations only.
The whole concert was mesmerizing. Flawless. (This is not a review. Just an observation.) I heard it was broadcast "live" in India. This is for those who did not watch. Please watch the whole concert. If you don’t have time to watch the whole concert, at least watch his Beethoven’s 5th Symphony (starts at 1:05:54).
3 people spoke. German Ambassador Michael Steiner, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. and Zubin Mehta. All 3 carefully avoided saying the word “India”.
Zubin Mehta has been living in foreign countries for the past 50 years. He still does not have the fake American accent. I was impressed. Have seen lot of FOBs (Fresh Off the Boat) use fake “AAZH” to pronounce “R”.
The audience looked like a VIP crowd and no ordinary folks.
German Ambassador’s wife was the only one enjoying the concert.
Everybody else was bored. Yawning. Talking to each other. Looked like they cannot wait to get out of that place. At the end of each performance, most of them were not even clapping their hands.
One lady was even sound asleep.
great function. its fusion between western and kashmiri folk music...
ReplyDeletethanks
Thanks Krishna. I am glad you enjoyed the concert. But the Kashmiri folk music was the first composition only.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the controversy? I guess I am not keeping up with current affairs!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, since bandwidth is a premium here (and it is required for other projects), I am not able to see lengthy videos. But I will get back to it someday.
Why is the German ambassador involved in it?
Destination Infinity
Thanks for your comments Rajesh. Let me update you.
ReplyDeleteThere were at least four controversies, me think. First, a separatist group protested this event and organized a bundh. Second, there was security problem for the musicians and the VIPs. Third, the activists organized a rival concert to show Zubin Mehta “the real Kashmir”. In addition, the Bavarian State Orchestra is angry because they waived their fees thinking it is for the people of Kashmir. In the last minute they found out it was organized for the VIPs and not for common folks.
Why German Ambassador was involved? He was the host. In other words, he paid for the whole event.
Comprende?
Had read about this concert in passing. I am wondering why would German embassy organize such a concert in Kashmir and then term it as a gesture of "hope" for Kashmiris??
ReplyDeleteIn Malayalam we say people pelt stones on trees bearing fruit. Controversies are the companions of the talented. So those with special potential are adored or abandoned.Nice post.Thank you.I will hear it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Shilpa. I think the German Embassy considers this concert as part of broader engagement with the people of Kashmir. In the end, it is all politics. But the music was great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Sarala. I am glad you liked this post.
ReplyDeleteJugalbandi, Right?
ReplyDeletebeautiful place, lovely music. Thanks for the share, SG or i would'nt have heard it.
Audience are like that in most places either they chat away to glory or snore. Even here it happens in most concerts, drama and dance recitals.
Thanks for your comments Asha. No, it was not a jugalbandi. The first one was fusion (Kashmiri and Western Classical). The other 4 were from famous classical composers. Beethoven (2), Haydn (1), and Tchaikovsky (1).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link SG, I was away on the 7th. But thank god, for you tube!! I read in the paper about the separatist group protesting. I don't know how music can come in the way !!
ReplyDeleteI was disappointed .....ordinary man was kept out of bounds.I would even hate to be present on such concert.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Meera. It is all politics.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Mr. Chowla. I read about this one (only for VIPs) later. But while watching the video, I noticed that no ordinary folks were there.
ReplyDeleteIt was sad that it was marred by controversies. You know SG, only the controversy was talked about in media but not the richness of the concert. And secondly; for VIPs? Waste of Zubin Mehta's time and effort
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Insignia. I agree with you 100%. Everybody (in the media) talks about the controversy. No one talks about the concert itself. Also, I don’t know how far it is true. I understand that the musicians were “duped” into thinking that this concert is for the people of Kashmir.
ReplyDeleteI think he himself felt bad later for his 'VIP's only concert. He kept on repeating again and again later in the NDTV interview that his next concert will be for ordinary people in a stadium...if he was invited!
ReplyDeleteIt is politics here in every step, SG! Nobody can escape, even NRI', or is he and NRI even now?
Thanks for your comments Sandhya. I think he still keeps his Indian citizenship.
ReplyDeleteA similar thing was conducted by Jewish conductor Daniel Barenboim at the Gaza strip and eyebrows were raised. But he successfully carried it off.
ReplyDeleteI think Zubin's intentions are genuine.
Am going to have a look at the video.
Thanks for your comments Haddock. Mr. Barenboim cancelled his concert because one of the musicians in his troupe, a Palestinian, was refused entry at the Israel-Gaza border.
ReplyDeleteApart from the controversies, Mr. Mehta’s concert was mesmerizing. Please listen and enjoy.
That was simply wonderful. Zubin is still in his elements for of vigor. The Bombay lad has still got it in him. It was a touching moment to see Zubin shaking hands with each and every Kashmiri musician who performed. Like you said the ambassador's wife was really enjoying it. That far away view from the boom camera was really annoying.
ReplyDeleteDid I spot Rahul Bose in the audience?
Thanks again for your comments Haddock. I am glad you enjoyed the concert.
ReplyDeleteI have been living in California for a long time. I have no idea who Rahul Bose is.
I came across this interview in outlook. Have a look: http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?287503
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link Sandhya. Read the interview. Interesting.
ReplyDelete