Gig review: Samaagam

Published on Thursday 11 March 2010 18:05

SAMAAGAM **** PERTH CONCERT HALL

SAROD virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra first performed his "sarod concerto" in 2008, but Horsecross Arts, who operate Perth's Concert Hall and Theatre, opted to make it a centrepiece of their Perth 800 celebrations, with the participation of local schools and community groups.

Three of these – one adult group and children from St John's Academy and Our Lady's Primary – each performed their colourful dance-and-music tributes to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively, then joined for a short finale. This opening section concluded with two members of the professional group, Dance Ihayami, and their trademark Indian-Scottish fusion style.

Khan then performed a short recital on the sarod with tabla accompaniment, explaining first that it has to be played with the edge of the fingernail rather than the tip of the finger, as with the better known (and bigger) sitar. He showed why he is widely regarded as the leading virtuoso on the instrument, and implanted its distinctive sound in our ears ahead of the main item.

Samaagam, created by Khan and realised for the orchestra by David Murphy, who also conducted, is a very substantial achievement. It follows the ostensible three-movement structure of the Western concerto, but is otherwise thoroughly steeped in the conventions of the Indian raga in its tonality and focus on melody and rhythm rather than complex harmonic procedures. The SCO LAB operated as an ensemble within the bigger orchestra in an impressive performance.