Big Indian premiere
O ne of the most anticipated acts of this season has to be a piece composed by Ustad Zakir Hussain. Titled Ameen, men, Shanti,, the piece atures vvocalists ariharan and ankar ahadevan Ustad oong with Zakir elly O’ Hussain onnor. The PHOTO: AALOK ession is SONI/HT onducted by nne Dalal. oout the nceert, Hussain s, “Itt is a ught I ggrew up
. I used to beb taughtht tablaabla and Indian claclassical musicm by my father, Ustad Alla Rakha between 3am and 6am. He used to teach me everythinng that connects divinity to our music. Then, I would goo to study the Quran and then to my school, where I used to attend the mass. Those few hours were spent in going through, now considered, different ways of life. I grew up with all this being one and the ideaa of separating them never occurred to me and that is what I wanted to convey through this piece.”
ZANE DALAL SAYS:
“The concert on February 25 is a very special one for SOI and also for me personally. It has been my great privilege to collaborate and conduct works by Ustad Zakir Hussain in world and Indian premieres since 2013. This time, with Ameen, Amen, Shanti, he brings a piece that forces us to contemplate where we should stand as brothers and sisters, emphatically denying the mantra of division to any person, party or power. This is as symbolic a struggle for personal freedom as Shostakovich Symphony No 5, a historic warhorse that is as compelling to listen to as it is tuneful to enjoy. With both being performed together in one evening, it raises the bar considerably for all those who recognise music to have its special place and power in our lives.” Zane will also be conducting the set.
HARIHARAN SAYS:
“It is a brilliant symphony com mposed by Ustad Zakir Hus ssain. Through this piece, he spe aks of spirituality in Islam, Chr istianity and Hinduism. r ough the musical mplexity, m one can see a anvas of the spiritual world.” sk him what convinced him o be a part of the segment, nd he says, “The one and ly Zakir Bhai. It’s a privilege d pleasure to work with him.” ar riharan is one of the voc alists for the piece.