Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010257380200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Global music festival in town

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: On January 5, as the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival stops at Bangalore, 10 Indian musicians and 50 from Leipzig will come together to perform original compositions.

The performance will be conducted by Michael Koehler, artistic director of the Leipzig Philharmonic Orchestra.

Highlights

Speaking to presspersons on Wednesday, Kavita Krishnamurthy Subramanaiam, L. Subramaniam and Dr. Koehler said that one of the highlights of the festival was the “Freedom Symphony,” which was composed to commemorate the 60th year of India’s Independence.

It will be performed by Ms. Subramaniam and her daughter Bindu Subramaniam.

“It has been composed by my husband, inspired by the songs that influenced Mahatma Gandhi,” said Ms. Kavita Subramaniam.

Talking about his plans to start a global music institution, Mr. Subramaniam said, “We have been wanting to start one headquartered in Bangalore for the past 10 years, but we did not get support from the government. Now we are in talks with other States as well.”

Prior to the concert in Bangalore at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, there will be one in Hampi on January 2 and 3. Passes will be given away on first-come first-serve basis. For reservation, call 23515622.