From Europe,with love

Western classical music and modern music represent the two ends of the musical diaspora,and each has its own fan following. Hungarian pianist Tamás Vásáry is a western classical loyalist.

Western classical music and modern music represent the two ends of the musical diaspora,and each has its own fan following. Hungarian pianist Tamás Vásáry is a western classical loyalist. He performed at Mazda Hall on Monday in a concert organised by the Poona Music Society and he gleefully observed,People here have actually taken a liking for western classical music. They know more about it too. It is nice to have an appreciative and knowledgeable audience.

Vásáry feels that the beauty and tranquility associated with classical music is lacking in the music of modern times. But classical music is taking a hit. The youth are extremely pressured they are confused about religion and science and their effects. Thus as an act of rebellion and a means of escape,they go to rock and pop concerts, he says.

Vásáry,who has worked as conductor with over 100 orchestras,including the Berlin Philharmonic,the London Symphony Orchestra,Orchestre National de France amongst others,says that his early influences of Chopin left an indelible mark on his childhood and even inspired him to take up music professionally. I have played Chopin since childhood and it is through my Chopin recordings that I became well-known. He is the one composer whose portrayal of human emotions through music is phenomenal. In fact,there is a certain Nocturne of his which I still play with tears in my eyes, the pianist shares.

While confessing that he hasn’t heard Indian classical music,he says,But I could sense the Indian spirituality when I performed here. People were very kind and hospitable. Their taste for and knowledge of western music made me feel like I was still in Europe.

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Western classical music

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