Under the patronage of the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso, the Mahler Chamber Soloists will travel to India to perform chamber music concerts and carry out educational outreach work in the cities of Panaji (22 January, Kala Academy) Mumbai (24 January, NCPA) and Pune (25 January, Poona Music Society). The MCO concerts are part of a series of events organised around the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Indo-German diplomatic ties. These events are carried out in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut in India under the programme name "Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities".

Berlin, 12 January 2012 - The MCO Soloists’ tour to India will be the orchestra’s first encounter with the complex cultural landscape of India. With the kind support of the Goethe-Institut, BASF India, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), musicians of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra will perform Dvorák’s Terzetto for two Violins and Viola, Mozart’s String Quintet in G minor, and Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet at concert venues in Panaji, Mumbai and Pune. Chamber music has been part of the orchestra’s activities since it was founded. The MCO musicians form themselves regularly into a variety of chamber ensembles under the name Mahler Chamber Soloists.

The MCO is honoured to be invited by the Honorary Consul of Germany in Goa Ms Cecilia Menezes to be a part of the Indo-German Confluence Festival at the Kala Academy, Goa’s centre for the performing arts. At the festival, the MCO Soloists will be able to contribute instrumental instruction and coaching for young instrumentalists, and on 22 January the ensemble is excited to perform the closing concert of the 5-day festival. The festival provides a context for the MCO’s musicians to come together with young Indian musicians and engage in cultural exchange.  

On 23 January, the ensemble travels to Mumbai, one of the most vibrant cities in India. In collaboration with the Goethe-Institut and Spic Macay (Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) the MCO will give a lecture concert for students at a local university, performing a piece for them along with some explanatory words and answering questions in a dialogue with students. Working with Joseph Walters, founder of the music education initiative Songbound, the MCO Soloists will also visit two newly established music centres for needy children in Mumbai, to perform, demonstrate and play musical games.

On 24 January the MCO Soloists will perform a concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai. This concert will be presented by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

On 25 January the MCO Soloists are invited by the Goethe-Institut to perform at the Poona Music Society’s Mazda Hall. This concert marks the end of the MCO India Tour 2012.

The MCO’s first visit to India will be an exciting chance to explore this culturally rich country, engage in cultural exchange, make new friends and meet new partners.

We will document each day of the tour on our website with photos and a tour diary entry by one of the musicians. Be sure to check back here later this month to get all of the details.