Indian and Celtic Musical Traditions Merge in CCM Concert 'Vismaya An Indo Celtic Musical Journey'

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) presents “Vismaya—An Indo Celtic Musical Journey,” a multimedia lecture concert featuring CCM adjunct instructor Kanniks Kannikeswaran and musical performances by local Irish musicians and an Indian children's choir. The event takes place Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in CCM's Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

“Vismaya—An Indo Celtic Musical Journey” explores the origins of an unprecedented and rarely heard genre of music that was born in the early 1800s through a blending of Celtic music and Indian ideas during the tenure of the British East India Company in India. Composed by revered Indian composer Muthusvami Dikshitar (1775–1835), this musical genre, known as "nottusvara sahityas," features Sanskrit lyrics written to European folk melodies.

Incorporating a powerful narrative and visual effects, Kannikeswaran will trace the origin of this music, with musical segments performed by an Indian children's choir and Irish musicians from the Cincinnati area.

This lecture concert coincides with the recent release of Kannikeswaran's first CD in this genre of music. He also presented an award winning lecture/demonstration on this topic at the prestigious Music Academy in Chennai, India, during their annual conference in December 2007.

KANNIKS KANNIKESWARAN

Musician, composer and educator Kanniks Kannikeswaran is an adjunct instructor in CCM's division of Composition, Musicology and Theory. His magnum opus, "Shanti—A Journey of Peace," premiered in Cincinnati in 2004 and was performed at the Zoellner Center for the Arts at Lehigh University in 2006. His music also has been performed by the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. He is the author and publisher of www.templenet.com, an authoritative source of information on the temples of India. For further information please visit www.kanniks.com.

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University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Event Details

VISMAYA—AN INDO CELTIC MUSICAL JOURNEY

Featuring CCM adjunct instructor Kanniks Kannikeswaran, an Indian children's choir and Irish instrumental ensemble

Event Date:

Saturday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.

Location:

Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Admission:

Free

Additional Information:

www.kanniks.com or 513-315-9286