07 November,2011 07:12 AM IST | | Surekha S
The eighth edition of the Arties Festival promises to be a wonderful experience for Western Classical music aficionado. Six exceptional musicians, a string quartet, a pianist and a double bass player will stir up proceedings at this three-day festival
The Arties Festival is back in Mumbai to give music connoisseurs a chance to enjoy a brilliant demonstration of chamber music. Now in its eight edition, the festival will feature a mix of veteran and contemporary musicians who will perform at the NCPA for the next three days.
(L to R) Yann Dubost, Hugues Borsarello, Gauthier Herrmann, Laurent
Manaud-Pallas, Samuel Parent
"The festival is becoming increasing popular every year," says Gautheir Herrmann, the cellist who started the Arties Festival in 2008, in collaboration with the NCPA. "I have been getting calls from two months prior to the festival for tickets; these get sold out pretty fast," he adds.
Herrmann, who first came to India in 2001 for a concert soon fell in love with the country. "There are many people in India who love Western Classical music, but I realised that there are very few chamber music events happening here," he says. The compelling need to make sure chamber music reaches out to a larger audience resulted in the Arties Festival in 2008. The bi-annual festival has featured some of the greatest instrumentalists and ensembles in the world.
Tune in
Along with violinists, cellists and pianists, this year's edition will also feature a double bass player, Yann Dubost, who is the co-principal double bassist of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. "I have performed with him before and he's very talented," guarantees Herrmann.
Along with Hermann, other performers at the festival include pianist Samuel Parent, Hugues Borsarello, principal violinist and leader of Ensemble La Follia; violinist Laurent Manaud-Pallas, the leader of the second violins of the Orchestre National de France; and Nicolas B ufffdne, the principal violist of Orchestre National de France.
Herrmann began learning the piano when he was seven but soon discovered his love for the cello and chamber music. He toured different countries and also collaborated with different talented artists for concerts. "Of all the countries, I feel Germany appreciates chamber music the most," he says. According to him, the idea is not to merely promote chamber music but to also encourage emerging talent.
For the love of India
Soon after their performances in Mumbai, the musicians will travel to Pune for a concert. They have been performing nearly 10 cities across India. Hermann who usually travels 11 months a year, is keen to head back to France soon after the Pune concert to spend time with his four-month daughter. "Her name is Indiya and she has been named after the country I love so much," he signs off.u00a0
On: November 7, 8 and 10
At: NCPA, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point.u00a0u00a0
Call: 66223724 / 66223754
Entry: Rs 200 to RS 500
