Orchestral Performances

With his strong background in Carnatic music, Dr. Subramaniam moved to California in the early 70s to pursue a master’s degree in Western Classical Music in California. Since 1984, he has established himself as the foremost Indian composer in the realm of orchestral composition. Armed with a Master’s degree in Western Classical music (MFA), distinctions in western violin studies, understanding of western technique, and his base in Indian Classical music, he set about to create a new style of orchestral writing, and indeed a new genre.

“The best this listener has heard…”
New York Times, USA

 

 

“Global Symphony indicates L. Subramaniam’s genius.”
Berliner Morgen Post, Germany

 

Dr. Subramaniam has written symphonic works, concertos, double concertos, works for orchestras and choirs, compositions for full orchestras with non-western soloists, compositions for orchestras with chamber groups and even compositions written for orchestras and soloists where the solo instruments can be replaced, which was a milestone in orchestral writing. He has also re-introduced improvisational cadenzas which allow the performer to showcase his prowess and mastery over his instrument. One of his works has even been transcribed for full Chinese Orchestra. He has written close to twenty compositions for full orchestras, a rare feat in today’s time.

“The Double Concerto for violin and flute” combines western scales and micro intervals. “Spring – Rhapsody” is a homage to Bach and Baroque music. Over the years he has written and created works for the world’s greatest orchestras The New York Philharmonic Orchestra and Zubin Mehta (“Fantasy on Vedic Chants”); the Swiss Romande Orchestra (“Turbulence”); The Kirov (Mariinsky) Ballet (“Shanti Priya”); The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (“The Concerto for Two Violins”); The Berlin Opera (Global Symphony), the live concert of which was broadcast simultaneously over 28 nations for millions of people.

 

 

The “Astral Symphony,” a result of the Norwegian NRK P2 Award/Commission was written for full symphony orchestra and replaceable soloists from different musical traditions, once again emphasizing the concept of Global Fusion. His “Freedom Symphony,” a tribute to 60 years of Indian independence features Indian voices, and text in five different Indian languages. In addition to composing for, he has also performed many of his own compositions with major orchestras and even conducted.

Till date, he has collaborated with over fifty different orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the USSR TV and Large Radio Orchestra, the Kirov Orchestrathe London Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Brandenburg Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Nationale de Lille, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Swiss Romande, the Lancaster Symphony, The Transvaal Philharmonic, The Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic, the Yomiuri Nippon Orchestra, the Tivoli Gardens Symphony, the New Zealand Symphony, the Budapest Symphony, the Singapore Symphony, the Leipzig Philharmonic and the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra.

 

 

He has been invited to compose for and perform with orchestras in various parts of the world from Africa to Australia, Europe and the Americas, at venues like the Lincoln Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Beijing National Center for Performing Arts, Zhongshan Music Hall, the Tchaikovsky Hall, Olso Philharmonic Concert Hall, and the Gewandhaus. He has also taken his orchestral music to small cities and towns as far as Sibiu, Bodo and Slupsk.

Some of the great conductors he has worked with include: Maestro Zubin Mehta, Maestro Vladimir Fedoseyev, Maestro Jean Claude Casedesus, Maestro Michael Helmrath, Maestro Christian Eggen, Maestro Svend Skibber, Maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser, Maestro Phillipe Bender, Maestro Simon Wright, Maestro Tan Lihua, Maestro Li Xincao, and Maestro Michael Koehler.

On many occasions, entire evenings have been dedicated to his works, which is very rare. There have been numerous audio/video releases and Dr. Subramaniam is one of a handful of living composers with over 150 live performances of his various orchestral works, a testament to his greatness as a composer.

Selected works of Dr. L. Subramaniam are available though Schott Publishing. For more information about Dr. L. Subramaniam’s Orchestral Works, Click here