Though music speaks a universal language, music is an art that is influenced by the ethnicity of the geography one hails from. Over a 100 performers comprising of artists from the West End, London, famed soloists who have sung with the likes of Elton John, Dan Seals, Demi Lovato, Gaither Vocal Band and local talent will take centre stage this month. Toccata is back with Resonance 2017 with its gift for music lovers of Bengaluru and Mysuru, with a choir comprising professional and semi-professional vocalists.
The concert celebrates music and cultures from India, UK, Ireland and Kenya. They will be accompanied by a big team of children from Bangalore Children’s Chorus and the Kenyan Boys Choir.
Founded on the backdrop of the Tsunami in 2005, Toccata Musical Productions UK is the brainchild of Dr Sunil Paulraj. “The 100 musicians from the countries of UK, Ireland, India and Kenya will celebrate cultural integration through their rich musicality in line with Toccata’s core vision. Binding the performers and the audience in a single fabric of music, Resonance 2017 will epitomise the essence of coming together as global citizens. The arrangements from Ian Tipping and Loreto, will add to the magic of the feted musical talent from London’s West End, famed soloists from UK, Ireland and Kenya, the vibrant chorus and the professional orchestra supported by the Bangalore Children’s chorus and the Bangalore Seniors Chorus. They will render a foot tapping extravaganza celebrating all-time musical greats like George Michael, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Vince Gill Andrea Bocelli, Michael Jackson, Don Williams and many more. The team has been rehearsing for the past eight months under the direction of Colin Scott in UK and the Children’s Choir under the baton of Maya Mascarenhas in Bengaluru. The Kenyan Boys have been preparing under the guidance of Joseph Muyale in Kenya,” shares Dr Sunil.
What can the audience expect from the stellar shows, Sunil reveals, “Every song will be worthy of a headline act. With a beautiful array of arrangements being integrated, every song will bring out Toccata’s mystical touch. There’s also a dance troupe that will augment the magic we weave on stage. In Toccata’s 12 year history, we have traversed to different ends of the globe and worked with some of the greatest musicians.”
Maya Mascarenhas who has been rehearsing tirelessly with the group states, “Bangalore Children’s Chorus (BCC) is a 75 strong children’s choir and we are thrilled to be invited by Toccata Musical Productions, UK to sing with them. They are going to rock the city with their talent, enthusiasm and energy. This time they are joined by a new group — the Bangalore Senior Chorus.”
Toccata is based on three main tenets of cultural fellowship through music, touching lives of the disadvantaged and recognising musical progenies, training and performing with them. The two hour concert will also be staged in Mysuru.
“We’re performing in Mysuru for the first time. Keeping in mind the audience will be different from that of Bengaluru, to choose the right mix of music takes preparation. Delivering a show that the audience feels justified to spend time is the greatest challenge. Helping our beneficiary, the 110-year-old Holdsworth Memorial Hospital, Mysuru to raise sufficient funds is the most daunting task.
Adrenaline-charged is the befitting way to describe the last eight months! It has been a roller-coaster ride of varied emotions. When the tiniest bits of the jig-saw start falling into place, seeing the whole picture the way you envisioned it is a conquest in itself. There are way too many elements in an international production. The seamless congruence of these elements is what has etched Toccata’s existence,” adds Sunil.
Resonance 2017 will be staged on February 12 at 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm at Ambedkar Bhavan, Bengaluru and in Mysuru on February18 at 6 pm at Manas Gangotri open air auditorium.
