The cultural palette of Bangalore is to be enriched with the serene and profound strains of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sacred choral composition as the city’s esteemed Bangalore School of Music announces a grand performance of The Requiem. This poignant event, a collaboration with Evolve Back Resorts, is slated to grace the stage at the renowned Chowdaiah Memorial Hall.
The Requiem, arguably one of Mozart’s most acclaimed and emotional works, resounds with the gravity and beauty that is characteristic of a musical tribute to the departed. Composed in 1791, the piece was left incomplete, with Mozart’s untimely demise coming in December of the same year, bestowing an air of intrigue and mystique to the composition. Synonymous with the mass for the dead, this Requiem will feature a mixed vocal choir embellishing the somber yet uplifting orchestral work.
Jonas Olsson, set to command the choir with his conductor’s baton, delved into the intrinsic nature of The Requiem and its resonance with the audience. “The Requiem reflects the many aspects of death in all its terrifying glory with dramatic parts interspersed with more soothing ones,” Olsson articulated, emphasizing that the choice for this composition was steered by both reverence and pride, given its significance in the choir’s repertoire.
Olsson also underscored The Requiem’s universality and its emotive chord that strikes with listeners, regardless of their musical education. “You can relate to it emotionally even if you don’t have any prior musical background. This is music that speaks more to your heart than to your brain,” he noted, underlying the importance of choosing a piece with such profound emotional appeal.
This ambitious musical undertaking is supported by the talents of two European chamber musicians — the Grammy Award-winning pianist Bengt Forsberg and conductor Maria Forsström. The stage will see a formidable assembly of a 45-member choir and a 20-member orchestra, both led by the esteemed Bengt and Maria.
In an industry that often favors contemporary over classical, the project’s scale is exceptional in Bangalore’s landscape where Western classical music awaits deeper roots and wider recognition. “It is quite rare to do projects of this scale in Bangalore, since Western classical music is not promoted or supported enough. I am thrilled we will be able to pull this off and the audience can expect something quite unique,” Olsson stated, expressing his exhilaration and the unique experience audiences are to anticipate at the concert.
Preparation for the concert embarked in September, achieving its final polish with Bengt and Maria’s invaluable insights over the past two weeks. They bring their extensive experience and a rich history of renditions of The Requiem to this collaboration, ensuring a performance of the highest calibration.
In a delightful revelation for Mozart enthusiasts, the program also includes a less frequently performed masterpiece by the maestro — Piano Concerto Number 12 in A Major. This piece, courtesy of Bengt Forsberg’s pianistic finesse alongside the BSM Chamber Orchestra, promises to showcase a different aspect of Mozart’s ingenious musical legacy.
The evening promises an eclectic blend of talents with the BSM string orchestra commanded by Ananth Kamat, the harmonious choirs Cappella Bangalore and The Bangalore Men with Jonas Olsson, and a stellar quartet of soloists featuring Payal John, Vinaya Vinod Kumar, Benson Chacko, and Nivedh Jayanth. Together, they will bring the sacred chords of The Requiem to life.
The event is scheduled to envelop its audience in transcendent melodies on January 19 from 7.30 to 9 pm at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall. Tickets, priced between ₹299 and ₹999, are available for purchase on insider.in, presenting a rare opportunity for Bangalore’s residents and visitors to be a part of an extraordinary evening, rife with the spirit of homage and the timeless beauty of Mozart’s creations.
