The Bangalore School of Music held a concert last week called the ‘Musical Divertimento’. A very apt name considering the light and varied music played at the concert.
For the Friends of Music in Bangalore and students of Bangalore School of Music, this was more than just another musical event. Not only was it being performed by the reputed faculty members of the BSM, many of whom are professionals and leading musicians in India, it was also to be the last performance of Carol George, the young virtuoso violinist, who would be moving to Mumbai to join the Symphony Orchestra of India.
It started with Paulette Demello playing a few Sonatas in E on the flute accompanied by the versatile Rebecca Thomas on the piano. Paulette who grew up in Holland, is now settled in India and teaches the Recorder and Flute in the BSM.
If the pieces by Paulette acted as an appetizer, Carol’s entry and playing was the most fulfilling part of the show. He played pieces like ‘Meditation for Thais‘ and the Bach-Gounod version of ‘Ave Maria’ with gravity and passion. His astounding technique produced sheer magic and made it pure joy to listen.
The strings quartet of Amy Philips (1st violin), Noel Gerad (2nd Violin), Carol George (Viola) and Ashish Biswas (Cello) were impressive with their rendering of Quartet No 157 by WA Mozart.
Czardas by Monti was the fitting grand finale` played by Carol George and backed by the quartet and Rebecca Thomas on the piano. They were not allowed to leave the stage till they played an encore, which they did to a mesmerized audience.