Diplomat and a Pianist

On a quiet evening in Chanakyapuri,one house of diplomacy turned into a chamber of music. Famous Austrian ensemble,Acies Quartett,presented their latest performance in the cosy sitting room of the Austrian Ambassador,Dr Ferdinand Maultaschl,covering the small audience in the notes of the violin,viola and violoncello.

The Acies Quartett,which became one of the youngest ensembles to participate in the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition in July,presented a series of pieces from Mozart and Beethoven as a guest list of expats and dignitaries,including a very enthusiastic Kapil Sibal,Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology,and his wife applauded.

It isn’t unheard of for an embassy to hold a musical evening but rarely does an ambassador himself join the performers on an instrument. “Thank you for coming and clapping so loudly,” said one of the performers right before announcing that the ambassador himself will be joining them on the piano for the “final touch.”

Mualtaschl presented a jugalbandi with Acies Quartett in a composition by Mozart.“Encore” shouted the audience,cheering as the piece wound down to its last notes. “I learned the piano and cello in my youth. Now,I don’t have enough time for music to be anything more than a hobby,” said the ambassador.