Few musicians in the world inspire wonder like Spanish pianist Pablo Galdo. It was not surprising then to see that a concert by the musician would even have those people without seats standing at the back of the auditorium to witness his magic.
Galdo was in Kolkata to share his music through a masterclass on December 16 and a concert on December 17 at the Calcutta School of Music (CSM), in partnership with Meta Arts and the Embassy of Spain in India. My Kolkata was there.
Before Galdo took the stage, Aparajita Chakraborty treated the audience to an esraj performance. ‘The response I received was overwhelming and inspiring. I felt honoured and humbled to have received notes of appreciation from Pablo Galdo himself,’ she said.
My Kolkata caught up with Galdo before his performance. “This is my first time in India. I have prepared a diverse programme reflecting Indian society, with several Spanish pieces. The music will have post-romantic, Baroque and Spanish romantic influences,” he said. There was an air of calm as Galdo took the stage. The notes coursed from his piano to the listeners like water flowing effortlessly.
In the audience, Nayantara Ray (centre) was busy studying Galdo’s brilliance, having taken his masterclass the day before. The Class VI student of Modern High School, and CSM, was there with her parents, Atri and Sunandini
Alfonso Herrero Corral, the counsellor to the Embassy of Spain in India, struck up a close friendship with Galdo over the last few months. “We’ve been in touch through calls and emails for a while, and it's very exciting to see him perform live. We will be touring the city tomorrow and discovering it together, since I, too, have moved to India just four months ago.”
The counsellor to the Embassy of Spain in India, Alfonso Herrero Corral planned to take Galdo sightseeing in Kolkata. Which places were the duo most excited to visit? ‘Oh, definitely Victoria Memorial, College Street and the Indian Museum,’ Herrero said
Even fans of Indian classical music were drawn to the concert. Krishna Mukherji, a former teacher at St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, enjoyed Galdo’s music with her Loreto House schoolmate Nandini Mukherjee, who was previously the principal at Calcutta International School and is the current dean of students at Garden High International School.
‘The aesthetically sensitive arrangement of the concert stood out. The raga-based Rabindrasangeet esraj recital by Aparajita Chakraborty was a soft and subtle prelude to the grand landscape of Galdo's music. His choices were also interesting, especially the Spanish pieces. The lilting melody, coupled with Galdo's inimitable style, acquainted us with the spirit and essence of Spain,” said Nandini Mukherjee (right), who was at the concert with her schoolmate Krishna Mukherji.
As he played his final peace, Galdo had a broad smile on his face, acknowledging the thunderous applause he received. “I had been practising very hard for this evening, and didn’t even get a chance to explore, which I hope to do now. I have always tried to ‘feel’ whatever I play and make the audience feel it too. Perhaps I will bring some Indian classical repertoire with me the next time I play here,” he said.
The evening also drew praise from thespians. (Left) Katy Lai Roy and Sumit Lai Roy, founder members of The Red Curtain, applauded loudly when Galdo concluded his performance. ‘The fact that most of the concert could happen without any words being spoken is testimony to the truth that music is a universal language,’ said Sumit. (Right) Arnab Banerjee, founder, Meta Arts, said, ‘It is rare to be able to curate concerts that firmly establish the nuances of Eastern and Western classical music on the same stage, performed by an established and emerging artist, and also celebrate gender equity along with cultural diplomacy’