Spring Break
Students learn notes from foreign instrumentalists
Courtney Roberts
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: NEWS
As melodic chords of Carnatic classical violins ricocheted from the walls of the Recital Hall in the Music Building, students sat on old tapestry rugs and observed the Mysore Brothers.
After situating their violins between their chin and right foot, the duo began to play.
On Tuesday evening, violin maestros and brothers Mysore Nagaraj and Mysore Manjunath of the University of Mysore, India, performed an informal recital for students showcasing their exceptional musical talents in traditional Indian melodies.
"These are two of the finest virtuosos in India," said Steven Friedson of the ethnomusicology faculty, coordinator for the ethnomusicology study abroad program. "It is a great opportunity to hear and experience music in the traditional context."
In fall 2007, Friedson started an exchange program with the University of Mysore where he met Manjunath, a professor of music at the university.
"Each year, we hope to take students - both undergraduates and graduates - to Madras, India, for the peak winter concert season," he said. "There will be daily lectures and demonstrations from master musicians and I encourage all students to look into it."
Accompanied by Srimushnam V. Raja Rao on mridangam, a percussion instrument from southern India, the Mysore brothers created a composition through improvisation with the scales given to them by the students.
"Indian classical music is totally melodic, whereas Western classical music is harmonic," Manjunath said. "Almost 85 percent of typical classical Indian music is improvised. It is one of the most highly advanced systems of classical music in the world."
Instead of the customary position of standing while playing the violin, Manjunath demonstrated to students that because of oscillation and the intricate sliding between two notes, classical Indian musicians have to remain seated.
"The violin doesn't stay in place, so we hold it in a posture between the chin and right ankle," he said. "This distinguished, unique style of playing is called gamaka. It produces tones that lies between two notes."
The violinists also invited students to take out their own instruments and learn how to strum the basic rhythms of classical Indian style.
"I really liked the spiritual aspect of the playing classical Indian style and the communication between the musicians," music performance senior Adam Goodwin said. "Their improvisation was also interesting, where they just have to look at each other and know what they're thinking."
Manjunath said that the knowledge of classical music from different cultures is essential for the instrumentalist.
"I hated music at first, and I never wanted to go to my father's concerts or learn how to play," he said. "But I grew to love it. I believe we are all here today because of music - the type of music that comes from the soul."
The College of Music will host another recital open to all students and faculty with the Mysore Brothers at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening in the Recital Hall.
After situating their violins between their chin and right foot, the duo began to play.
On Tuesday evening, violin maestros and brothers Mysore Nagaraj and Mysore Manjunath of the University of Mysore, India, performed an informal recital for students showcasing their exceptional musical talents in traditional Indian melodies.
"These are two of the finest virtuosos in India," said Steven Friedson of the ethnomusicology faculty, coordinator for the ethnomusicology study abroad program. "It is a great opportunity to hear and experience music in the traditional context."
In fall 2007, Friedson started an exchange program with the University of Mysore where he met Manjunath, a professor of music at the university.
"Each year, we hope to take students - both undergraduates and graduates - to Madras, India, for the peak winter concert season," he said. "There will be daily lectures and demonstrations from master musicians and I encourage all students to look into it."
Accompanied by Srimushnam V. Raja Rao on mridangam, a percussion instrument from southern India, the Mysore brothers created a composition through improvisation with the scales given to them by the students.
"Indian classical music is totally melodic, whereas Western classical music is harmonic," Manjunath said. "Almost 85 percent of typical classical Indian music is improvised. It is one of the most highly advanced systems of classical music in the world."
Instead of the customary position of standing while playing the violin, Manjunath demonstrated to students that because of oscillation and the intricate sliding between two notes, classical Indian musicians have to remain seated.
"The violin doesn't stay in place, so we hold it in a posture between the chin and right ankle," he said. "This distinguished, unique style of playing is called gamaka. It produces tones that lies between two notes."
The violinists also invited students to take out their own instruments and learn how to strum the basic rhythms of classical Indian style.
"I really liked the spiritual aspect of the playing classical Indian style and the communication between the musicians," music performance senior Adam Goodwin said. "Their improvisation was also interesting, where they just have to look at each other and know what they're thinking."
Manjunath said that the knowledge of classical music from different cultures is essential for the instrumentalist.
"I hated music at first, and I never wanted to go to my father's concerts or learn how to play," he said. "But I grew to love it. I believe we are all here today because of music - the type of music that comes from the soul."
The College of Music will host another recital open to all students and faculty with the Mysore Brothers at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening in the Recital Hall.
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