Zubin Mehta on What’s In Store at Symphony Orchestra of India Concerts This Week

A year after he conducted the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) at Mumbai’s luxurious Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, maestro Zubin Mehta returns to the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) with a sense of satisfaction. “In the last concert, our program included Gustav Mahler’s difficult Symphony No. 1, Titan. The musicians did a wonderful job, and I wouldn’t have been here again if I wasn’t convinced of their abilities,” he says.

The 88-year-old Mumbai-born conductor, who had to postpone his original 2022 concert when doctors advised him rest, looks very exuberant before his first rehearsal. What’s challenging is that instead of popular composers like Beethoven and Mozart, or forms like the symphony and concerto, Mehta will lead a slightly offbeat selection this time. “After discussing with Khushroo N. Suntook [NCPA chairman] we decided to go ahead and okay the two Strausses,” says Mehta.

On August 17 and 18, the program will thus comprise the music of Johann Strauss II (1825-1899), which will include his famous waltzes and sections from his operettas. The show will feature soprano Chen Reiss. On August 24 and 25, Mehta will conduct the repertoire of Richard Strauss (1864-1949). Besides his tone poems Don Juan and Ein Heldenleben, the section will consist of Four Last Songs, rendered by soprano Krassimira Stoyanova.

The shows are being presented by the NCPA and Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, named after the maestro’s father. Says Mehta, “I have conducted numerous renowned orchestras, and have come to India often with the Israel and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras, besides the Munich Philharmonic. The SOI is relatively new, but has some talented musicians. When Khushroo said we must do something to widen their repertoire, I thought of the two Strausses.”

The focus was on the music of Vienna. While Johann Strauss II belonged to the musically rich city, Richard Strauss was born in Munich, Germany, but played the role of principal conductor of the Vienna State Opera from 1919 to 1924. Suntook joked, “The choice was easy as Zubin is almost Viennese and has been attracted to the music of Vienna.”

Having grown up in Mumbai, Mehta moved to Vienna at the age of 18. He initially studied music under Hans Swarowsky at the Vienna Academy Of Music. He also studied the double bass, but Swarowsky spotted a unique penchant for conducting in the youngster. After graduating from the Academy, he made his conducting debut with the Tonkunstler Orchestra in Vienna’s Musikverein. Later, he won a conductors’ competition sponsored by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and there has been no looking back since.

Mehta recalls, “I got enchanted by the Viennese School. It is something that has remained with me. In fact, this year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Vienna-born composer Arnold Schoenberg, who has been one of my heroes. A whole bunch of activities is being planned in Vienna.”

While looking forward to conducting the SOI, Mehta feels it will establish itself better over time. He says, “Each orchestra has its own personality and flexibility. Conducting them is a process that builds up over a period of time. I usually do four or five rehearsals before the final show. During those rehearsals, I choose the kind of approach I will have to deliver the best results,” he says, as he leaves for the first rehearsal on this tour.

Get details on the SOI Autumn 2024 Season concerts conducted by Zubin Mehta here.