Amjad Ali Khan, an Indian classical sarod player, best known for his clear and fast fingering technique known as ekhara taans, will play two concerts with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as part of the Delta Classical Series on October 19 and 21, at 8 p.m., in Atlanta Symphony Hall.
The orchestra will perform “Samaagam,” a sarod concerto featuring ragas composed by Khan, who will perform with his family of acclaimed sarod artists.
The program opens with Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Elegía Andina,” a piece that mixes strains of Peruvian folk song with contemporary sounds to highlight the composer’s multicultural heritage. The night also includes the suite from Prokofiev’s ballet masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet, led by Russian conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya.
Gaetan Le Divelec, vice president of artistic development with the ASO, was Khan’s manager for many years before coming to Atlanta and was influential in the development of the concerto.
“When I came to Atlanta last year, it was really clear to me that I was joining an institution that was, first of all, adventurous with programming, but also had an interest in fostering diversity and inclusion in classical music,” Le Divelec said. “For me, it became obvious that ‘Samaagam’ would be one of the works that could achieve that.”
A free Visions of India Festival will take place before the Oct. 21 concert from 5-8 p.m., and will feature an artist display by Malika Ghosh Garrett; Henna artist stations; dancing from the Jathiswara School of Dance; a Mandala art station by the Shashikala Foundation; and an interactive instrument booth.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit aso.org.
Photo: Sarod playerAmjad Ali Khan will perform at Atlanta Symphony Hall.
