What the music leaders say
SAMYO works with many high profile artists each year. We asked some of them what they think about the orchestra….
Rakesh Chaurasia, bansuri player and guest tutor
As an orchestra performing Indian Classical music in the UK, what is your impression of SAMYO?
SAMYO is brilliant and has some very talented kids who are playing and performing very well. I’m glad that this was started to promote Indian classical music as these kids are the future and like I said in my last interview, the bigger credit goes to their parents who have supported and encouraged their children.
Have you any thoughts or memories about the members of SAMYO that you might share with us?
These youngsters are the future and seeing them play Indian classical music through various instruments shows their contribution and looking at them I hope they can encourage more and more people to take part in this kind of music.
What has been your experience of composing for, and training SAMYO?
My experience with them was fantastic and I in fact learnt so much from them. They are full of enthusiasm, energy and confidence. They would finish one class and move onto another. Would sit with me for hours to keep learning more and more with a lot of patience. It was a great experience for me. As I said it has been great to compose for them and train them as they are growing to be such good musicians and are full of energy and ideas.
Pt Ranajit Sengupta, sarod player, guest tutor and composer
As an orchestra performing Indian Classical music in the UK, what is your impression of SAMYO?
I think SAMYO is one of the best Orchestra’s performing Indian Classical Music as most of the members can perform in pure Indian Classical form (solo performances) as well as a band in different forms with influences from Indian Classical, Western Classical & Vocal-Instrumental Symphony & Choir forms.
Have you any thoughts or memories about the members of SAMYO that you might share with us?
During my work with SAMYO this year (2012) during Music India I found them more disciplined & focused.
What has been your experience of composing for, and training SAMYO?
It has been a great honour and pleasure for me to work with SAMYO in 2011 & 2012 as the kids were very enthusiastic & active in learning my compositions. I have composed the pieces specially for them and I was able to go deeper in understanding their abilities because of their active participation in learning & practicing. I wish all the very best to SAMYO & wish to continue working with them in near future.
Gaurav Mazumdar, Principal Conductor
As an orchestra performing Indian Classical music in the UK, what is your impression of SAMYO?
As an orchestra SAMYO is unique, as it is the only Indian Classical Orchestra here in the UK featuring both North Indian & Carnatic Music instruments.
How do you think SAMYO is contributing to the development of Indian Classical Music in the UK?
SAMYO is doing a great job contributing towards the development of Indian Music in the UK as they go all round the country playing the music and inspiring all sorts of listeners with their high energy & quality
Have you any thoughts or memories about the members of SAMYO that you might share with us?
I have all kinds of memories about the SAMYO members. It’s been been an eventful journey & I remember the initial years where it was hard to groove things and put things in the right perspective. It’s been smooth once we had a perfect equation. Few of the memories include great concerts, struggling to get home after a concert, massive rain in London after premier of my piece ‘Rain’ at the Albert Hall, and many more.
What has been your experience of composing for, and training SAMYO?
It’s been challenge initially and in the end always a pleasure.
Girishh Gopalakrishnan, Associate Conductor
As an orchestra performing Indian Classical music in the UK, what is your impression of SAMYO?
I guess SAMYO really defines ‘An orchestra performing Indian Classical Music’ not just in the UK, but worldwide. It is probably the only Orchestra that has evolved systematically with compositions and has repertoire that can genuinely be classified as ‘Contemporary Music’ and it is the future of where Indian classical music is heading towards.
How do you think SAMYO is contributing to the development of Indian Classical Music in the UK?
SAMYO is very British in the sound it presents as it has top young talents from across the UK. It indirectly strokes interest and provokes a certain curiosity about Indian Classical music to the general audience with its accessible music, layered with the richness of Indian Classical ragas, instruments and ideas.
Have you any thoughts or memories about the members of SAMYO that you might share with us?
Many wonderful memories working with the Orchestra but, my favorite part is always at the end of our summer retreats when we tutors and composers get to hear their own original compositions. I am almost always blown away by their out of the box ideas, compositionally.
What has been your experience of composing for, and training SAMYO?
Though working with SAMYO is very different from what I do with composing music for films, I will always hold this close to me as it gives me an opportunity to give something back to music and help in shaping individuals who are likely to be the face of Indian Classical music in the UK, in the years to come.