Carnatic Conversations on Western Strings
A space not only to immerse in music but also to reflect upon musical experiences.
V S Narasimhan Violin
Mohan Rao Violin
Bhaskar Pitapurapu Viola
V R Sekar Cello
Madras String Quartet (MSQ) founded in 1993, based in Chennai, performed originally regular western chamber music repertoire. The founder and first violinist of the quartet, V.S. Narasimhan, who had a formidable base in Carnatic music (Southern Indian Classical Music system) embarked on a remarkable musical voyage, exploring new frontiers in chamber music performance with his quartet with a unique combination of Southern Indian classical music with western harmonic principles.
This original integration of the Indian and Western classical music systems has been widely hailed as ground breaking work; unlike many other fusion works that exist, the original compositions of the great composers of South India are rendered in the utmost pure form.
MSQ’s album
“Resonance” and the albums
“Raga Saga” & “Seamless Strings” are full of Narasimhan’s delicate and intricate arrangements replete with an enduring blend of Western harmonies, counterpoint, and pulsating rhythmic structures.
The following quote from the Times of India, April 2010 aptly summarizes Narasimhan’s work and his vision: “The violin is his pen; his music is the message. To decipher it is to appreciate two rich legacies”.
Narasimhan has also scored music for special projects such as an Indian epic ballet (The Living Tree); has many albums working with well-known Indian artists such as Karaikudi R. Mani (Mridangam virtuoso), and other innovative musicians from abroad including John Kaizan Neptune (Shakuhachi virtuoso and Composer) and French violin virtuoso Gilles Apap. All of this, in addition to his regular work in the film industry having scored music for films and performing several solo works for various movies, interacting with the well-known music director Ilaiyaraaja. He has performed widely throughout India and abroad.
V S Narasimhan comes from a musical family. His father Gottuvadyam V. Srinivasa Iyengar initiated him into the South Indian classical music when he was five and has accompanied his father’s Gottuvadyam concerts in many places in Karnataka. As a young boy Narasimhan had a special interest in western classical music as he started working in the South Indian Film Industry. He studied western violin with Mr. Adrian L’Armand of Australia.
Mohan Rao was interested in western classical music even from his childhood. He had his early training from a violin-teacher Mr. Narayana Rao. Later he learnt western Violin from Mr. Jerry Peter. His association with the Madras Chamber Orchestra, helped Mohan to shape up his artistic ability.
Bhaskar Pitapurapu coming from a family of musicians from Andhra. He had his early training from Violinist Mr. Narayanana Rao. Later he switched over to western violin by studying with Bernard Wacheu, a French Violinist. He had been associated with the Madras Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra of India, Mumbai for a brief period. Bhaskar is a very talented and sensitive violinist, who took to playing viola especially for the quartet.
V R Sekar is the son of the most popular Violin Vidwan / Music Director Kunnakkudi R. Vaidyanathan. Sekar started learning Carnatic Music on the violin as a young boy. Fascinated by its sound, he took Cello as his main instrument and now is the most sought after young cellist of India.
Some of the notable Performances by MSQ:
November 2008 - Singapore, Esplanade – Recital Studio
April 2011 - Durbar Festival – UK Bristol, Leeds & London
November 2011 - The Hindu November Fest
July 2012 - Auroville, Pondicherry
September 2012 - Jagriti Theatre, Bangalore
July 2013 - Horizon Series Concert, ICCR – New Delhi
October 2014 - Azim Premji University, Bangalore
July - August 2015 - Europe Tour (Ireland, UK, Belgium & Italy)
From the Press:
Of Swaras and Counterpoint: V S Narasimhan and V R Sekar recreate the ‘Resonance’ magic with ‘RagaSaga’. Violin wizard V S Narasimhan has done it again. Marrying two seemingly diverse streams of music – Carnatic and Western classical – seems to come naturally to him. ‘The Hindu – Arts-Music’
No harm in harmony: Merging the complex idioms and systems of rules of Western classical with Carnatic can be doubly restrictive and doubly liberating. ‘live mint.com-LOUNGE’
Here, pianissimo fuses with pallavi for a perfect blend. ‘The Times of India, Chennai’
At the Goethe-Institut Chennai, Madras String Quartet will render an exclusive repertoire of Western classical and Carnatic in a perfect blend, thoughtfully planned and shared with intimacy.
Back
