Founder’s Day, Monday 20 th August, Department of Western Music at Kala Academy proceeded like any other Founder’s Day in the first half of the programme. Ity was a parent / friends pleaser punctuated with babies crying and impatient siblings. But Anton Figuerido had special reasons to smile from his on-stage photograph this year. In the midst of the usual performances by students, the recorder group featuring very young musicians ushered in the new focus on developing interest in wind instruments. The other significant note was a rousing performance by the Junior/ Senior choir of a special arrangementof Goan music entitled “Goenchem Git”.

A NEW WIND BLOWS

The second half featured the newly formed Goa State Symphony Orchestra finding its legs and stepping out with some assurance. The much talked about and hoped for development in the Western music environment in Goa took shape with the rebirth of wind instruments (clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and trombone) in the teaching curriculum and on stage. The usual bland string sound was spiced with the richer sound of flaring trumpets and guttural trombones holding hands with the other winds. The drum set, our familiar friends in jazz, pop and rock combos, seemed to have acquired a stronger voice in company with his bigger brother – the tympani, a big drum played with gusto by an enthusiastic young boy. Here at last was the resurrection of a symphony orchestra in Goa. The future holds promise as the Kala Academy has introduced the teaching of wind instruments, shaking off the stranglehold of violin, piano, keyboard and guitar.

SPICED UP VARIETY

The conductor, Jerome Rodrigues, brought a host of new ideas particularly apparent in his composing / arranging of the music played. A varied programme indeed aptly showcasing the tonal qualities of the wind instruments and stressing the marching and toe-tapping nature of music making. His Anthem (probably destined to become the signature tune of the Orchestra) took the ear of the audience firmly with its immediately impressive sound, the wind instruments shining with their new found glory. Very impressive and a worthy opening.

STRINGS ATTACHED

“The Light Cavalry” Overture by Franz van Suppe and “The Persian Market” by Ketelby came to life in a very enjoyable way with the audience and the performers relishing the brassy splendour of the wind instruments. However the strings sounded undernourished like the alms-seeking beggars in the Persian market. I sorely missed the rush of the horses’ hooves of the Light Cavalry plunging into battle. The violins need to shimmer and dance. And the soaring theme in the Persian market has literally to sweep you off your feet. The string section has to learn to let the bow leave the strings, bounce and dance and let the air flow between the notes. The tenacious clinging of the bow and the restricted movement cramps the tone and robs the sound of its ability to soar. Some of the performers were impressive with their violinstic style but they looked as if they were miming the sound, not producing it. There has to be bite, flexibility and freedom. I have spoken of this lack of gutsiness and poor tonal quality often. I am hoping that Jerome will address this lack of sonic balance in the next concert by demanding greater warmth and assuredness. But eventually it’s the string teaching that has to improve.

THE BACH BARK

Bach and Beethoven represented the serious classical content. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” was a delight with four members of the string section of the orchestra stepped out to demonstrate their second strings – their ability to capture the four voice harmony of the song with wonderfully articulated performances. The two young ladies – Chriselle and Chime – once again proved themselves as accomplished singers. Chernol, remembered as a crystalline boy soprano notably in the lead role of “Oliver” brought a rich baritone to Bach’s harmony and equally surprising was our well known rock guitarist, Rocky, singing the tenor part. And he was also probing the depths of the double bass with gusto. Truly versatile and the way to go. Goan talent cannot be limited.

BEATING BEETHOVEN

Beethoven did not fare so well and might have welcomed his deafness. “The Fifth of Beethoven” went down well with the audience and the compere, Joanne d’Melo whose mellow, rich voice and charming personality wrapped itself deliciously around the introductions. Perhaps a compere should stick to introducing the items, the performers and refrain from enthusing on the performance. I like to experience my music without the sugar-coated filter of the compere’s comments. A performance doesn’t need to be sold. It should walk into the hearts of the audience.

The inspired repetitive notes of the opening of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony had a prolonged painful birth before the agonized composer was happy with the structure. It’s a creative masterpiece. It knocks imperatively on the inner soul and strides in to stay. How can anyone impose an “arrangement”? Beethoven’s delightful “Minuet in G” also sadly did not escape this tampering. The simplicity of structure and the sweep of the music carries the listener to happy times. Why then complicate this sublime music with an amateur colourisation? A perfect painting does not need to be “improved” by additional brushstrokes and splodges of paint !

ARRANGEMENTS

Jerome Rodrigues is a superb arranger nonetheless. The rest of the programme saw the masterful touch of his hand in “Explosive”, the Goan “Sobit Amchem Goem” and “Saudades de India Portuguesa”. The strings ran around all over the place with glee, happily producing a pleasant energetic sound and the brass brought the festive Goan spirit to life. By all means, let’s have more of this bright music – simple, effective and relished by the strings and winds as well. The audience left the hall toe-tapping, clapping and marching home satisfied.

The evening was a tribute to all the participants. The smiling Founder, the Kala Academy administration, the Conductor, the young and old artists and the encouraging audience.