Transcript Slide 1
E A S T marries W E S T Pt Shubhendra Rao and Saskia Rao-de Haas, prove that the music of East and West no longer just meet but are ready for an abiding relationship through their path breaking music East Marries West. This celebrated husband-wife duo is taking Indian Music into a brave new era. Their music is a fusion of World Music in the true sense. The inspiration of their compositions is drawn from Indian and Western Classical Music traditions, folk traditions of different parts of the world and the exciting and unique world of rhythms. The duo’s effortless musical communication and improvisation is an emotional and joyful experience for their listeners. As expressed by the Dutch consul-general at their concert in Mumbai, “Mark Twain has been proved wrong today. The twain of East and West will indeed meet when it is music played by these two dynamic and wonderful musicians” Their music appeals to a wide range of audiences all over the world, from Classical music enthusiasts (Indian and Western) to Jazz lovers. They have also collaborated with leading artists across cultures. Their concert tours have taken them to prestigious concert halls, festivals and universities across the U.S.A, Canada, South Africa, U.K., Turkey, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Singapore and India. Shubhendra and Saskia have featured in festivals and venues such as : The Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, The National Arts Festival in South Africa, Esplanade in Singapore, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Doverlane Music conference in Kolkota, Vasanta Habba in Bangalore, Saptak Festival in Ahemdabad, Delhi Arts International Festival and Mysore Dusshera Festival among others. Shubhendra and Saskia are known as innovative composers with unique ability to build bridges between different musical cultures. They have composed music for various films, ballets and theatre plays in India, North America and Europe. Their composition : ‘An ode to India’s Independence’ for NDTV, got more than 90,000 hits in two days on MSN India. Another milestone composition is Yathra, a piece that they performed at the recent Fringe Edinburgh festival in 2009. Creating Waves was their last CD released in Dec’06 demonstrating their pioneering approach to Indian classical music. Their upcoming composition The Forth World is an enthralling collection of their path-breaking compositions. FROM THE PRESS “…piece-de-resistance of the festival….watched by an audience of over 10,000 people…..co-ordination between the 2 artistes was impeccable..” Star of Mysore , Mysore This jugalbandi would be taking Indian Music into a brave new era Gateway, India "----the time they finished, they got a spontaneous standing ovation… such was the stirring performance that many in the audience were moved to tears---Newstime “ ‘Yathra’ is a quietly moving, beautifully oblique piece, one that any American audience can grasp intuitively.” Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine “…String magic puts audience in a trance…immersed in a musical journey too exquisite to put down in words…the intoxication of the music kept the audience riveted to their seats… Times of India, Hyderabad ‘The festival took a flying start with Shubhendra Rao and Saskia Rao…Sharing the same wavelength, both of them were in perfect unison for the ideal jugalbandi. ‘ Hindustan Times, New Delhi AUDIENCE RESPONSE “This is one of the highest quality musical events I have been to this year-a flawless” combination of tradition and innovation. Florida, USA “Listening to you, I have just discovered a perfect fusion between tradition and modernity. It was a perfect evening for me” Paris, France “Wonderful concert---thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and feel gifted to have had your presence---you have such incredible artistry and spirit to share with this world” Vancouver BC, Canada SHUBHENDRA RAO ‘Here is not just a master at the sitar, but a thinking musician taking his instrument beyond convention, He has become a musical bridge to many cultures’ Gateway Magazine, March 2007 One of the few artists to compose and perform on Broadway, New York and Sydney Opera House, Australia. He also performed in Carnegie Hall, New York and WOMAD festival, joining ranks with the greatest musicians of today. Shubhendra Rao creates an experience for his audience that ranges from the introspective to the resounding. Hailed by critics & connoisseurs internationally as worthy successor to his Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar’s tradition. He has been awarded the “Youth Icon for Classical Music” in 2007, by the popular Zee Television Network. He has released many music albums with International Record Labels . Well-known as a composer, Shubhendra distinguishes himself by working with musicians across cultures yet remaining true to his musical heritage. SASKIA RAO DE HAAS ‘She has been taught by God. Everybody should listen to her music’ Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia on TV channel Headlines Today Saskia Rao - de Haas is a brilliant cellist and composer from the Netherlands. She has brought a new instrument, her Indian cello to North Indian classical music and created a unique playing style. She is the first female non-Indian artist to have performed at the prestigious Doverlane Music conference and performs at the most prominent Music Festivals and Concert halls the world over. Critics and audiences alike have praised her for artistic depth and technical virtuosity. “Her Cello Music truly speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” She is a celebrated composer, bridging the Western and Indian Classical music traditions. Her recent path breaking composition was the introduction of Indian Music in the Western stringquartet. She collaborates with leading artists across cultures. Contact Information Web www.shubhendrarao.com www.saskiarao.com ❋ E-mail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ❋ Phone + 91-(0)11.2627.1165 +91-98111.90983 (cell) +91-98685.83214 (cell) ❋ Address B- 368 C.R. Park New Delhi-110019 INDIA