Symphony makes Indian friends
What an extraordinary experience it was for the 300 or so of us who gathered last Saturday evening at the National Heritage Museum to hear the Lexington Symphony.
Two performances took place celebrating one of the great love stories in world literature - the story of Savriti, princess of India, her encounter with a powerful force that would end the life of her young husband, and her overcoming of that force, preserving his life and their love.
The first performance was of the one-act opera by the English composer Gustav Holst. It combined the talents of three great soloists, chorus and orchestra. Soprano Valeri Nicolosi, tenor Ray Bauwens, baritone Robert Honeysucker, the Master Singers, and the orchestra led by Jonathan McPhee created a remarkable succession of moments of beauty and drama that had the audience totally engaged.
The second performance took place at a reception following the concert in the atrium of the museum. It happened largely through the efforts of a new member of the symphony board, Liz Steel of Appletree Lane. She forged a relationship with the talented Ranjani Saigal, who directed a very different telling of the Savriti story, this one in classical Indian dance, supported by traditional song and instruments. For 20 minutes, watchers stood transfixed by the beautiful Amudha Pazhanisamy, a Lexington High School junior and student at Ranjani's Eastern Rhythms School of Dance.
Joining Amudha were Geeta Murali, an award-winning and much sought-after dance vocalist active in India, the U.S. and Canada. Playing violin was Geeta's daughter Rasika. Playing the two-sided drum was Ranjani's son Arun. The artistry of these young people was inspiring.
The "icing on the cake" of this special evening was the serving of traditional Indian sweets prepared by gifted local caterer Nirmala Garimella.
The evening made me even more grateful to be part of this wonderful Lexington community, grateful to have learned to appreciate something of the culture of our Indian neighbors, and especially grateful to be an avid supporter of a remarkable community treasure, the Lexington Symphony.
Two more concerts are coming this season - in February, when the orchestra welcomes Chicago's horn virtuoso Gail Williams, and, in April, for its annual Celebration of Patriots' Day in Music. They are not to be missed.
Fred Johnson
