Photo: Asia TOPA
By SAT News Desk
Melbourne, 26 September: In an Asia TOPA exclusive and in partnership with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Charindaa, Arts Centre, Melbourne are holding the ‘The Music of AR Rahman’ – a one-night gala concert event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Thursday 16 February 2017 performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with the superstar himself as the special guest performer.
Described as the world’s most prominent and prolific film composer by Time Magazine, AR Rahman is an Indian composer, singer, songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. His works are best known for fusing the delicate intricacy of eastern classical composition with the innovations of electronic music and the majesty of traditional orchestral arrangements.
AR Rahman has won two Academy Awards (including for Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire for Best Original Song), two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe and is one of the highest paid composers of the motion picture industry. He has also become a notable humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising money for beneficial causes and supporting numerous charities.
The Music of AR Rahman celebrates his incredible contribution to the world of film music. It is led by AR Rahman’s long term collaborator UK Conductor Matt Dunkley, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performing AR Rahman’s compositions. The orchestra will be joined by international guest soloists S. Navin on flute and Asad Khan on sitar, as well as vocal soloists and the 30-voice Melbourne Symphony Orchestra chorus. AR Rahman will take to the stage as Special Guest, which will be his only appearance in Australia.
“The rich concert repertoire consists of blockbuster hits from the composer’s collection, expect to hear a selection of his greatest moments in film composition such as Cry of Rose from Roja, Chan Chan from Water, Theme from Lagaan, Bombay Theme from Bombay, Changing Seasons, Mangal Pandey: The Rising Suite, Slumdog Millionaire Suite, 127 Hours Suite, and the very popular Jai Ho!. Compositions have been specially arranged for this big orchestra event, “ says a media release.
“In India, a country of a billion inhabitants, where film and pop music are one, A.R. Rahman, 43, dominates the music industry so totally that he has supplied the soundtrack for a whole generation. He enjoys the godlike devotion of India’s youth, but everyone from the street child who sweeps train platforms to the middle-aged doctor in Mumbai’s posh Malabar Hill hums his tunes. “says the Time Magazine
CNN says, “Rahman has sold 200 million albums worldwide — more than the Beatles — and is worshipped throughout much of Asia, where he’s known as the Mozart of Madras.”
The AR Rahman concert is part of the Asia TOPA: Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts – a multi-art form celebration of creativity and culture to be held in Melbourne from 13 February – 6 March.
More than 350 artists and producers from 15 Asia-Pacific nations will be represented with events ranging from Papua New Guinean hip hop performances to Bollywood concerts, installations, talks, forums and exclusive performances by the National Ballet of China, in collaboration with Orchestra Victoria and The Australian Ballet.
The Music of AR Rahman is a co-production by Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and CHARINDAA for Asia TOPA: Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts. CHARINDAA (Charities Through Indian Arts in Australia) organize and promote Indian arts and cultural programmes for the benefit of several worthy and deserving charities.
Asia TOPA is a joint initiative of the Sidney Myer Fund and Arts Centre Melbourne and is supported by the Australian and Victorian Governments.
– SAT News Service.
