“A first-rate Performance!”—The Moscow Times
Marked by a 10-minute standing ovation, the SOI's Festival Finale performance of the Beethoven 9th held the Russian audience spell-bound
The Russian Media sat up and took notice. Performing at the highly prestigious Fifth Festival of the World’s Symphony Orchestras held from June 6th-11th, 2010, in Moscow, was the youngest orchestra: The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI). They were due to perform a difficult piece: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony — a choral masterpiece — is considered to be one of the most demanding works.
There were three reasons for us to beam: One, this would be SOI’s international debut concert. Two, the SOI has been invited to perform on a platform which has been graced by some of the greatest orchestras of the world. Three, they were to play on the concluding night, on the eve of Russia Day, as part of the Grand Finale, in the presence of the highest echelons of Russian society.
The expectations were high; the pressure was immense. The SOI was slated to perform with a renowned Russian choir and soloists at the historic Hall of Columns in Moscow. They would get only two rehearsals with them before the concert, conducted by Maestro Alexander Anissimov. The stage was set.
On June 11, 2010, the SOI made history as India’s first fully professional orchestra to go international. On June 11, 2010, The NCPA made history by putting India on the world map of western classical music. On June 11, 2010, the SOI musicians were nervous as they finished the last movement of the Ninth Symphony. There was a 30-second silence; 30-seconds of what Judgement Day would be like, if we were ever to witness it. And then, the silence was broken by a thunderous applause that rang amidst the Hall of Columns. A standing ovation that lasted over 10-minutes was the final reckoning the SOI needed.
Rave reviews poured in. As Raymond Stults of The Moscow Times wrote: “Beethoven’s massive “Choral Symphony,” No. 9, seemed a risky choice for the Symphony Orchestra of India, founded just four years ago on private initiative and India’s first-ever full-scale orchestral ensemble. But the performance it (the SOI) gave at the festival’s final concert was absolutely first-rate, marked by precise playing, full-bodied sound and superb pacing from Russian conductor Alexander Anissimov.”
Maestro Anissomov himself was very impressed. For him, the “SOI's musical form holds much promise. Each orchestra has its own formula, its rough and smooth edges. The Symphony Orchestra of India projects a completely new face of India. I had conducted the SOI during its first season. This is the third time I am meeting them and I find a remarkable change. Last time, the orchestra was really good, but the size was really small. Now it's a full orchestra; the choice of repertoire is very big, from Beethoven to Ravel to Richard Strauss. I see a very good future.” (as quoted in The Hindu).
The SOI is humbled. For a four-year-old orchestra to be invited to perform at a prestigious international festival, to earn applause and laurels from musicians and audiences alike, and for everyone to commend its performance of none other than Beethoven’s masterful Ninth Symphony is highly encouraging.
This spells a new beginning for the western classical music scene in India. Rahi Gaikwad of The Hindu sums it up beautifully in her piece titled ‘On a High Note’, “At the national level, the SOI seems to be a decisive move by the NCPA “to raise awareness and interest” in the Western classical genre. For the musically inclined, it is the First Movement.”
The SOI couldn't have got a better debut platform. We would like to thank you all for being a part of our journey so far.
