MUMBAI: Coming Friday 20th September 2013, OJCF marks the 100th birth anniversary of one of India’s finest musicians, Madame Olga Athaide Craen. Born on 20th September 1913 in Goa, the brilliant pianist who left an indelible mark on the Western classical music scene of Bombay as it was then known.
There are stories of her triumphant return home after her successes at International piano competitions and celebrated performances at the renowned concert halls of Europe; of the streets being lined with well-wishers from Santacruz Airport to her home in Bandra. Her performances in Bombay for the public – and public charities too – were held at elite homes, at the Taj Mahal Hotel, at various concert and college halls and even at the Regal Cinema where she performed Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto under the baton of Edvard Behr, the Belgian violinist and conductor. It was at this performance that another Belgian violinist, Jules Craen, invited to India by Professor Behr, is reported to have fallen in love with her and the delightful sound she produced from the pianoforte! Their union is the stuff of legends; as Jules then went on to conduct the Bombay Symphony Orchestra.
Carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive strain injury was unheard of at the time, but that is what Olga fell victim to and so began an illustrious career in imparting her musical knowledge and musicianship to her students. Olga’s pupils’ concerts were an annual, much-awaited event and would fill the Taj Crystal Rooms – South, Central and North!
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Her grateful students who have gone on to become performers, teachers, conductors, music critics and impresarios within national and International music circles – have recently established the “Olga & Jules Craen Foundation” and instituted “The Olga & Jules Craen Foundation’s Young Musician of the Year” award to perpetuate their memory and steward a young musician from any discipline, instrumental or vocal, for the course of one year, at the end of which a full-length recital will be given.
This year’s laureate, Tanay Joshi, a pianist from Ahmedabad, has been sent for master-classes in Mumbai and summer school courses in the UK. His teachers at the Royal National Scottish Conservatoire stated that “Tanay’s love of music and obvious desire to improve and realise his tremendous potential was a joy to observe.” The teachers “were very struck by his playing and genuine pianistic potential.” The
