After Eight

His dream is to perform in Agra,with the majestic Taj Mahal in the backdrop,but Swedish pianist Robert Wells is enthusiastic about his performance at the Swedish Embassy today. “My aim is to ensure that people have a good time. I always interact with the audience while performing,” says the artiste who defines his music as a blend of classical,jazz,rock and roll and boogie-woogie. The composer of the official television theme of the Beijing Olympics 2008,in Delhi,Wells will be performing as part of the ongoing Sweden India Nobel Memorial Week,which ends on October 23. Best known for the Rhapsody in Rock project — an annual music festival in Sweden — Wells has toured China,Germany,USA,Russia,

England,Scandinavia and Australia.

The performance tonight will include symphonies by Beethoven and Chopin,followed by tracks by Elton John,Abba and a few original compositions. “We do the covers in our own way — with a lot of boogie,jazz and funk,” says Wells. On his first trip to India,he seems to be mesmerised by the country and its people.

“I hope I get an opportunity to perform near the Taj at least once,” he says.