The National Symphony Orchestra welcomes the Kennedy Center’s maximum India celebration with two fascinating works: excerpts from “Padmavati,” an opera-ballet by French composer Albert Roussel, and the world premiere of Zakir Hussain’s Concerto for Four Soloists, uniting Hindu, Islamic and Christian elements. The soloists are American mezzo-soprano opera singer Kelley O’Connor, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan and Hussain. Mahadevan and Hariharan, popular Indian musicians, are singers and composers who hold numerous film and recording awards. Both are good friends of Hussain from their Bollywood associations. Hariharan will sing the part of the Hindu, Mahadevan will take the Sufi (Islamic) role and O’Connor will sing hymns appropriate for the church. Hussain ties the three cultures together with his tabla, a pair of hand drums that creates many sounds and pitches utilizing 360 rhythm cycles.
| Onstage |
| Zakir Hussain’s Concerto for Four Soloists |
| Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall |
| When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday |
| Info: $20 to $85 at 202-467-5600, 800-444-1324 or kennedy.center.org |
“This work happened in a roundabout way,” Hussain said. “B?la Fleck, Edgar Meyer and I were asked to open the celebration with our Melody of Rhythm Triple Concerto, but B?la and Edgar were both busy at this time. Then I was asked to write a full concerto. Without thinking, I said yes.”
