Introduction

This is a big moment for me. An admittedly trite opening line, I know, but my journey into the world of writing for orchestra has been, in many ways, an unlikely one. I have not had the privilege of a formal classical education in either Indian or Western traditions, nor did I consciously grow up listening to these forms of music.

To be named the CBSO’s first Collaborative Artist, and to have the great privilege of writing for them, is something I value deeply. Every musician on stage tonight is of the highest calibre, and together they reflect the rich and diverse artistry we have in Birmingham and beyond. Under the baton of Melvin Tay, whose insight and sensitivity have shaped this performance, I’m reminded again of how collaborative music making really is.

Given how unlikely this journey has been, my partner Abi and I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude simply to be here.

To stand in this space, with this orchestra, in this city, and to share music shaped by our lives and our experiences is something we do not take for granted. We are deeply thankful for every person who has supported us and helped make tonight possible.

Tonight Abi and I present a new piece of music. Structured in four movements, this commission was written around the time our daughter was born. In the few precious hours of sleep she has managed, Abi has sat with me to create something shaped by the wonder, fear, anxiety and ultimately unbridled joy of that journey.
The piece brings together Western and Indian classical elements in a way that I hope reveals what links them. I believe that link is their shared relationship with the divine and the search for it. I am of course not the first composer to bring these musical worlds together. The old saying about standing on the shoulders of giants feels especially true for me.

This evening, in addition to premiering our new commission, I also have the rare opportunity to show you where the work comes from. Tonight’s programme traces the building blocks of my musical language and the music that shaped me and made this piece possible.

It is because of the work of those great composers, visionaries who revolutionised sound and built bridges between different musical cultures, that I have the career I do today.

We hope this piece stands as a tribute to the traditions that shaped us and as a reminder that music’s power lies not in its category but in its humanity. Thank you for allowing us to share ours with you.

Rushil Ranjan
Composer, Arranger, Piano