The cultural tapestry of Bengaluru has once again been illuminated by Western classical music, as Swedish mezzo soprano and conductor Maria Forsstrom along with pianist Bengt Forsberg graced the city with their talent, reminiscent of last year’s acclaimed performance of Faure’s Requiem. This time, the artistic duo returned to present a more complex and ambitious undertaking: Mozart’s Requiem. Their brief residency in Bengaluru added to the challenge, as considerable preparation was needed for this distinguished performance.
The elaborate rehearsals to realize this event demanded the coordination of two choirs comprising 47 individuals – all engaged in full-time professions – and the integration of the Bangalore School of Music’s Chamber Orchestra. The fruition of these efforts could be seen and heard at the city’s venerable Chowdiah Memorial Hall, which recently hosted a jam-packed audience, eager for an auditory feast.
The evening embarked with a contemplative prelude, “Abendempfindung K523,” which, unfamiliar to the largely German-agnostic audience, introduced a somber tone that stood in contrast to Mozart’s more widely known vivacious pieces. Despite Maria Forsstrom’s emotive portrayal, the language barrier dimmed the intended connection with the assembly.
A brisk shift in atmosphere was ushered in with the performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto #12 in A Major. Bengt Forsberg’s mastery on the keyboards was evident, bolstered by the string ensemble of the BSM Chamber Orchestra, with Forsstrom adroitly handling the baton. The Andante movement moved the audience with its plaintive tune, speculated to be a tribute to the late baroque master Bach, and the Allegretto’s interaction between piano and strings was a lively interplay, whetting the appetite for the crowning piece of the night: Mozart’s Requiem, performed post-intermission.
The intricacy and appeal of the soloists emerged particularly in the “Recordare,” where their rich, interwoven melodies offered respite from the fervor of the previous movements. Although soprano Payal John’s voice was enchantingly clear, her initial softness meant the delivery initially lacked the necessary forceful impact, despite a judicious use of microphones within the venue. Maria Forsstrom faced the challenge of sculpting a cohesive sound from the orchestra, which needed more comprehensive training to achieve the intricacy required of such a sophisticated composition.
The Requiem, shrouded in historical irony due to Mozart’s untimely death before its completion, was and remains a subject of speculation and reverence. Begun by Mozart but ultimately finished by his pupil Süssmayer, who controversially appended Mozart’s name alongside his own to the completed score, the piece has been a magnet for debate regarding its authenticity. Ludwig van Beethoven, however, famously dismissed these doubts with high praise, effectively cementing the Requiem’s place in the classical canon.
Given the constraints of an amateur production, the decision to utilize von Spengel’s arrangement yet again underscored the logistical limitations, with only strings and organ to fulfill an arrangement typically demanding a full orchestra’s breadth. Indeed, Mozart’s signature use of woodwinds and brass were conspicuous by their absence but were creatively counterbalanced by the vocal ensemble’s powerful rendering, particularly noticeable in the evocative “Dies Irae.”
The event was not merely a concert but an ambitious communal undertaking, as musicians of diverse backgrounds and day jobs rallied together to bring forth a piece of timeless music. The sheer determination and collaborative spirit culminated in a rendition that, while imperfect in its minimalist orchestration, held true to the core of Mozart’s final opus. The Requiem’s success has slated it for an encore performance at St. Mark’s Cathedral in March, with fervent hopes to take this rendition to the shores of Puducherry.
The story of Mozart’s Requiem in Bengaluru is one of passion bridging cultural distances, signifying both an echo of a distant past and a testament to the unifying power of music, unwavering even amidst modern-day challenges.
