On January 21, 2009 thirty-four musicians of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra will gather in a rehearsal room on New York's Upper West Side to meet sitar virtuoso, Anoushka Shankar. Working together over the next twelve days, they will give life to the world premiere of Ravi Shankar's newest composition Concerto No. 3 for Sitar and Orchestra.
Filmmakers Chris and Alex Browne will capture this collaboration as Indian and Western classical music combine. They will create RAGA SAGA, 12 daily webisodes that will give you exclusive access to the skill, the artistry and the inherent drama that are part of the unique Orpheus rehearsal process.
Chris and Alex Browne were chosen by Orpheus for their unique style of cutting-edge filmmaking. They will document the passion, chaos, and excitement of the collaboration between Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, and the Orpheus musicians - both on and off the stage - to provide viewers with an inside look at what it takes to create and refine a finished product for the world to hear. This new series is the first of its kind to document a major classical orchestra from first reading to public performance.
Commenting on the series, Orpheus Executive Director Graham Parker explains, "This kind of access into the commissioning, rehearsing, and performing process of a world-class chamber orchestra is unprecedented. Those of us who work in the field understand how exciting and inspiring the process is - the personalities and interactions are engaging. We want to share that process with our audiences and the greater music-loving world."
LATEST EPISODE
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WEBISODES AVAILABLE ON PLAYBILLARTS.COM BEGINNING JAN. 21
As an online partner of the Orpheus Raga project, Playbill Arts will be hosting each new video as it debuts from Jan. 21 through Feb. 1. Visitors can expect a new video each morning by 9 AM. Visitors may also view the entire series by registering for free at www.OrpheusRAGA.com. The first "webisode" of RAGA SAGA, which debuts on Wednesday, Jan. 21 beginning at 8 AM, covers the first reading of Mr. Shankar's new work with the orchestra and soloist.
Subsequent webisodes, posted every morning, will follow the orchestra from rehearsals in New York to performances in Chicago and New Jersey. The series concludes with a performance at Carnegie Hall on Jan. 31, which will be posted on Feb. 1. These three to five minute segments will capture the artistry, skill and drama which are inherently part of the Orpheus music-making process. They may also be viewed collectively at OrpheusRAGA.com.
For daily webisodes, visit www.playbillarts.com/orpheus
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PLAYBILLARTS CLUB MEMBERS TO RECEIVE 15% DISCOUNT TO JAN. 31 CARNEGIE HALL DEBUT
Additionally, members of the Playbill Arts Club will receive 15% off select tickets to the Jan. 31 Carnegie Hall Debut! Details to be emailed to club member this week. Please join the mailing list for more info.
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Free registration at OrpheusRAGA.com allows participants to access streaming audio of the following recordings courtesy of EMI Classics: Vivaldi's The Four Seasons with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra featuring violinist Sarah Chang; Mozart Piano Concertos with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Jonathan Biss; Ravi Shankar's Concerto No. 1 for sitar and orchestra with Shankar and London Symphony Orchestra; his Concerto No. 2 for sitar and orchestra by Shankar and London Philharmonic Orchestra.
