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MUMBAI: The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) based at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, India’s first and only fully professional orchestra performed at the event commemorating the birth centenary celebration of Maharaja Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar of Mysore on 18th and 20th July at the Mysore and Bengaluru Palaces. Led by Music Director Marat Bisengaliev, the Symphony Orchestra of India’s performance reflected Wadiyar’s own eclectic aesthetic ranging from Mozart to Albeniz to Medtner. Along with the members of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore, NCPA Chairman Mr. Khushroo N Suntook and many eminent names, were present at the event.
One of the greatest patrons of Western classical music, Maharaja Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar was respected and deeply admired, far beyond his own realm. A brilliant musician himself, Wadiyar would have chosen to be a concert pianist, had fate not decreed that he be a king. But he nurtured his passion all his life, and gave to European art music, not his own talent, but the chance for the genius of others to find public acknowledgement. Even those who never met him, like the legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan, lauded his choice of works to be performed and recorded (another ‘first’) such as such as Bartok’s Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. There are landmark events and institutions that owe much to Wadiyar, who was as discerning and knowledgeable as he was generous: the putting of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London on as a stable financial footing for one, the performance of Richard Strauss’ Four Last Songs, exactly in keeping with the composer’s last wish, down to the choice of soprano Kirsten Flagstad, for another.
Symphony Orchestra of India, chairman and co-founder Mr. Khushroo N. Suntook said, “It gives us immense pleasure to be part of the 100-year birth celebration of his highness Maharaja Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar. He was a true connoisseur of western classical music. He helped the western world discover the music of a little-known Russian composer Nikolai Medtner , financing the recording of a large number of his compositions. I have always been fascinated by his vast knowledge on western classical music. I would like to thank the Royal family of Mysore and in particular Maharaja’s daughters: Princess Kamskshi Devi and Princess Indrakshi Devi for giving us the opportunity to perform on his birth centenary celebration which is a fitting tribute to him”
