It was great watching London Philharmonic Orchestra performing the music of A. R. Rahman at Royal Festival Hall. Symphony orchestra always reminds me Sir David Attenborough's 'The Blue Planet' documentary series, which explores the vastness of oceans and their diverse but intricate marine life. In the same way, we could feel the richness of music and it's elaborate layers through orchestra. With so many musicians and singers synchronising in a flawless harmony, it's a wonderful piece of the human art.
This Alchemy show of Southbank Centre was like a musical feast for me. Royal Festival Hall was studded with more than 2500 people. Almost 100 plus performers including singers and musicians with violins, violas, cellos, basses, flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones and percussion could take your breath away. Add to this the best of A. R. Rahman's compositions and what you get is a pure bliss. It's not everyone's cup of tea (there was no Jai Ho or Delhi 6), but those who have passion for background music (BGM), would love to listen to this show.
All performances were brilliant and I could feel the very essence of live symphony orchestra. Orchestra conductor was Matt Dunkley. Naveen Kumar (who has extensively worked for A. R. Rahman) was marvelous on flute. Asad Khan played sitar for Mausam and Escape. A. R. Rahman himself was present throughout the entire show. The most interesting part was his interview by Nihal at the end of the show. A. R. Rahman was quite spontaneous and relaxed. We all know that he is quite humble, but this time he was witty, too. His first comments were: 'Thank you all for not clapping in between... I am proud of you.... and next time please cough on the Brass-section, so it won't be heard!'.
He was presented with a gold disc from the Universal Records for a 100,000 copies sold of the Slumdog Millionaire. He touched on many subjects like KM Music Conservatory, his advice for novice composers, spirituality and music, synergy between western music and indian music etc. Someone asked the question, 'what keeps you going even after getting so many awards and accolades?'. His answer was 'you, the listeners'!
Here is the complete track list performed in sequence:
1. Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Divinity theme; Battle; Mary's beheading)
2. Warriors of Heaven & Earth (End titles; Desert Storm; Horses:Goodbye)
3. Couples Retreat (Jason & Cynthia's theme; Itinerary; Intervention)
4. Roja (The Cry of the Rose)
5. Mangal Pandey: The Rising (Killing innocents; Ring of Fire; Palace sequence; Uprising; End titles)
6. Slumdog Millianaire (Latika's theme; Mausam and Escape)
7. Bombay (Bombay theme)
8. Passage (Nager dans l'espoir; Lux aeterna)
9. Subhash Bose: The Last Hero (End titles; Tanha; Struggle; Love theme)
10. Meenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities (We will fly; One way; Who are you?)
11. Lagaan (Lagaan theme)
12. Swades (Swades theme)
13. Lord of the Rings (Lothloren; The Final Battle).. this was very impressive!
