This Chennai-based symphony orchestra performs Mozart's Haffner symphony for their first full recital

MMA’s Symphony Orchestra will host its first full recital with Mozart’s Haffner symphony as the main piece
This Chennai-based symphony orchestra performs Mozart's Haffner symphony for their first full recital

The vibrance, timbre and dynamic range of a symphony orchestra, as experienced in a concert hall cannot be replicated by any audio system. And getting to attend one, conducted by a city-based ensemble, backed by local musicians, is exciting news for the discerning crowd.

“Although guest performers such as the German Orchestra or the Symphony Orchestra of India, among others, have performed here, this would be the first time that an ensemble from Chennai is performing a symphony and that makes this concert really special,” says Augustine Paul, the music director at the Madras Musical Association, who will be conducting the first full recital of MMA’s symphony orchestra, which was formed in 2016.

Conducted as a part of the 125th-anniversary celebration of MMA, the 45-piece orchestra with instruments including the violin, flute, cello, clarinet and trumpet, among others, will be performing pieces by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart and Russian composer Tchaikovsky, along with a few modern jazz pieces.

“In an orchestra, there may be too many pianists, guitarist, and singers, but very few clarinet players and flautists. The challenge lies in bringing all of them together to create music that is written there,” shares Augustine. “It’s really difficult during the initial sessions because the sound won’t come out the way you want. But gradually it starts sounding better and the feeling you get while conducting a symphony is unmatchable,” he added.

                                                          Augustine Paul
                                                          Augustine Paul

With 90 per cent of its members from Chennai and two guest performers from America, the performance that will last for one-hour 40 minutes will feature Mozart’s Symphony No 35 as its main piece. “Mozart’s Haffner symphony is perhaps performed for the first time in Chennai by a local orchestra. This concert is sure to enrapture the keen listener and will be a great encouragement to many young musicians,” says Fletcher Franklin, the principal cellist of MMASO.

They will also conduct a special demo session for school kids on Saturday, where they can learn about the instruments that are being used and how they are being put together. “Besides giving people an opportunity to see the performance live, we also want to cultivate a taste for it among the coming generation,” shares Augustine.  

As a part of the show, the 80-member MMA Choir will also be singing a few pieces from the classical period.

Tickets at  `300 onwards.
June 29-30, 7 pm.
At Museum Theatre, Egmore. Details: 4550-1250.


fathima@newindianexpress.com| @fathiimaashraf

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