Take a bow, Chennai Youth Sinfonietta

CHENNAI: Imagine starting on an exciting musical journey, only to hit a dead end due to the Coronavirus outbreak. However, thanks to technology, a group of youngsters managed to stay the course. It was in 2019 that Sachin Das and Kishore Das, scions of Musee Musicals and Greek-born pianist Panos Karan firmed up the idea of a Chennai Youth Sinfonietta, over a luncheon in Chennai. The reason? To guide, nurture and offer expert training to musically inclined youngsters and help them scale greater heights. The internationally renowned pianist, who in his early years in London, dialed up the director of Carnegie Hall requesting a performance chance, had in 2011, set up Keys of Change, a foundation aimed at helping young adults transform their lives via music, across the world.

One may wonder why Chennai and Sachin has the answer. “Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, tops the nation with regard to the highest number of youngsters pursuing western classical music in one form or the other. Our dad also wanted Musee Musicals to do something more to galvanise youth power for music and once I met Karan, we synced,” he said. Panos Karan’s charity has been running projects successfully. The two came together to form Chennai Youth Sinfonietta, offering a platform for young boys and girls to not only pursue western classical music but also offer a stage to perform. As they did, at Vani Mahal, on October 7, when they enthralled an appreciative audience with their rendering of classical pieces.

As Karan (Karan is a shortened form of his long Greek surname) emphatically stated, all young musicians share a dream of performing before an audience. “Most people may not know this, but the hardest thing for a musician is to perform in front of an audience. And yet, only live audiences and applauses encourage and incentivise musicians to constantly improve themselves and become perfect,” said Karan, after the performance.

The orchestra had all the drama that one can expect like the breaking of a violin string. However, the young girl, with quiet confidence moved backstage and repaired it in quick time, while another violinist stepped up to take her place, seamlessly. “It is such moments that give these boys and girls the confidence to proceed with their passion. The future of western classical music in Chennai is in good hands and will flourish well,” says Lakshmi Narayanan S, who has been associated with the project from day one. “The 15 young performers did a brilliant job. Their music was so mesmerising,” said Dr V Mohan. He should know, living with two renowned singers, Sujatha Mohan and their daughter Shweta.

The evening was started by the maestro himself — playing solo piano and delivering a selection of charming pieces. La Campanella drew wows and thunderous cheers even as the audience was moved by the ever-poignant Chopin pieces. The biggest lesson for the Sinfonietta? Confidence to address the gathering and being well informed on every piece, every composer, down the centuries, as shown by Panos Karan.