the goan I network
PANAJI
To see 50-odd youngsters coming together to play different types of string instruments “ violins, violas, cellos and double basses “ as an orchestra is a rare sight in Goa!
But on September 20, in the hall of the Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji, the String Orchestra of the Department of Western Music of the Kala Academy set a fitting prelude for the “Founder’s Day Concert” as the youngsters beautifully interpreted the three-movement String Concertino by Küchler.
The Orchestra was led by Fr Romeo Monteiro, the Director of the Department of Western Music.
The concert was meant to pay tributes to Maestro António Fortunato de Figueiredo, the founding Director of the Academia de Musica, India’s first School of Western Music, begun in 1952, and now known as the KA’s Department of Western Music.
The programme also consisted of piano, violin, viola and guitar solos. Among the soloists, violinist Hazel Gomes, who played Salut d’amour (Elgar), pianist Alayna Paes, who interpreted Waltz Étude (Gillock) and guitarist Calvin Monteiro, who rendered Variations on a Theme by Handel, were outstanding. The evening came to an end with scintillating choral music arranged by Fr Monteiro and performed by the Senior Choir, under the direction of Preethi Coutinho, with Louella Fernandes accompanying on the piano. All went home satisfied and relaxed after an evening’s treat of splendid sounds of music.
