Tabla maestro Zakir for Symphony Orchestra of India

Mumbai: Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain has been commissioned to create a new orchestra piece for the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI), set to premiere this September.

The global premiere of 'Peshkar' marks the first concerto for tabla and orchestra for the internationally-renowned maestro who will perform it along with the SOI.

"It is a unique melodic piece that retains improvisational expression of the tabla, with structured layering of varied instruments, all culminating in an overwhelming experience," organisers said.

"The first commission by an orchestra is an important milestone and I am delighted to be the first composer commissioned by the Symphony Orchestra of India. I hope our audiences in India and abroad will enjoy and appreciate this unique musical experience," the tabla mastereo said.

The SOI is also set to embark on a landmark journey as Zakir Hussain and the orchestra will travel to Switzerland in January 2016, on a special invitation by the Migros Kulturprozent Classics series.

This also marks the first performance in Europe by the SOI, as well as the European premiere of 'Peshkar'. 

he three-city tour takes the SOI to Zurich, Geneva and St. Gallen. The prestigious Migros Classics series has featured legendary orchestras, famous conductors, and star soloists from around the world, with an aim to make classical music available to a broad audience throughout Switzerland.

"As the SOI nears its tenth anniversary, we felt the time was ripe to make a contribution to the orchestral cannon by undertaking our first commission. As the Symphony Orchestra of India, we felt it was important that our first commission be from an Indian composer," SOI, NCPA Chairman and Founder, Khushroo N Suntook said.

"Zakir Hussain is one of the great musicians of our time, and we are delighted that he accepted the commission and will be premiering the work with us in September," he said.

The performances of Peshkar is scheduled to take place on September 25- 26 at the NCPA and would be conducted by SOI Associate Music Director, Zane Dalal.

The programme would also feature Smetana's 'Overture to The Bartered Bride' and Bartok's 'Concerto for Orchestra'.

Founded in 2006, the orchestra's season includes not only works from the symphonic repertoire but also opera, ballet and chamber music performances.

The Orchestra has worked with internationally renowned conductors as Charles Dutoit, Lior Shambadal, Mischa Damev, Rafael Payare, Karl Jenkins, Adrian Leaper, Johannes Wildner, Alexander Anissimov, and Christoph Poppen, amongst others, and soloists including Barry Douglas, Michael Collins, Stephen Kovacevich, Tamas Vasary, and Lena Neudaue.