05 February,2013 12:54 AM IST | | Dhara Vora
She was born amid the sounds of waves in Goa, while he reached then Bombay in 1933 from Belgium. But both helped shape the Western Classical music scene of the city and till date, their pupils continue to mould Mumbai's young pianists.
Jules and Olga Craen
As a tribute to pianist Olga Craen and Jules Craen who was one of the founders of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra, the Olga and Jules Craen Foundation has organised the first tribute recital to the couple. The event will begin with a 48-minute film that charts the career of the Craens.
"We wanted to plan a tribute for Olga, one of India's finest piano teachers and made her mark through several performances. As pupils, we remember Olga's technique and her emphasis on daily practice," says Zinnia Khajotia a trustee of the Foundation.
Like Khajotia, the Foundation consists only of former pupils of the Craens, all established names in music. The recital will include performances by Marialena Fernandes, another committee member Roshan Chowna Ernavaz Bharucha and Zubin Behram-Kamdin.
"To make the tribute more substantial, we have selected a laureate for the first The Olga and Jules Craen Young Musician of the Year Award, where a young talent will be trained. The winner has been selected by examiners from London's The Trinity College and Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, aided by Furtados. This winner, Tanay Joshi will also be part of the recital," says Khajotia.
On February 6; At NCPA, Nariman Point.
Young Achiever
Ahmedabad's 18-year-old Tanay Joshi has several firsts to his name, which include being a finalist at Con Brio, the all-India John Gomes Memorial Piano Competition. Joshi, a Class 12 student wants to be an engineer and continue his love for the piano. "I began playing since I was seven, and had been learning on a keyboard since I was three. When I started there were only a handful pursuing Western Classical music in Ahmedabad, but the numbers have risen," he says. Apart from programming music, Joshi plays the violin, guitar and djembe.u00a0
