Attended the concert "Zubin Mehta Live" on 30 Oct 2015 - Mehta conducted the flawless rendition by the Australian World Orchestra. The surprise of the evening was the short but superb performance by soprano Greta Bradman (grand-daughter of legendary cricketer Don Bradman). What a range of tones she was able to bring about to Mozart & Rossini's music!
The impressive finale of the evening was Schubert's Symphony No.9.
Today attended Zubin Mehta's entertaining interview. He is such a relaxed, down-to-earth guy. He shared about his childhood, continuing love for Bombay, introduction to music through his father who used to play at the Taj hotel,Bombay, on AIR etc, his father's angst towards the british rulers of india, his own sharing of that feeling, at 18 yrs he journeyed abroad, his mind-blowing experience of Orchestra music in Vienna....how inspite of being married to an american he still maintains an indian passport, even though that creates problems when he has to apply for visas, because he feels so indian at heart....a total joy to have heard him.
Today attended Zubin Mehta's entertaining interview. He is such a relaxed, down-to-earth guy. He shared about his childhood, continuing love for Bombay, introduction to music through his father who used to play at the Taj hotel,Bombay, on AIR etc, his father's angst towards the british rulers of india, his own sharing of that feeling, at 18 yrs he journeyed abroad, his mind-blowing experience of Orchestra music in Vienna....how inspite of being married to an american he still maintains an indian passport, even though that creates problems when he has to apply for visas, because he feels so indian at heart....a total joy to have heard him.
The jarring note through the interview was the interviewer who constantly veered from the subject of Zubin and music to communalism, the plight of muslims in india (obviously v sad in her opinion) etc. & tried to involve Zubin in this direction. Its a pity that Art & Artistes are subverted by politics.
Nonetheless a great experience...contemporary society being what it is we have to accept that the good, the bad & the ugly go together. Actually we dont have a choice...media is omnipotent!
Zubin's statement that alludes to how music transcends all - that music is "Spiritual Opium" was such a powerful self-explanatory statement. i shall cherish this and i feel the same holds true for my medium of expression - the Visual Arts, which too is "Spiritual Opium"
