Simon Thacker and the Nava Rasa Ensemble – Inner Octaves

Simon Thacker and the Nava Rasa Ensemble – Inner Octaves
Indian-Western Classical Fusion

Previewed by Hedd Thomas

Concert date: Tuesday 3rd November
Venue: Hall Two, The Sage Gateshead
Tickets: Student price £7.50, Full price £15


Acclaimed Scottish guitarist Simon Thacker leads an exciting new ensemble to explore the meeting of Asian and Western cultures in Inner Octaves at The Sage Gateshead this Tuesday. With two specially commissioned concerti by India's Shirish Korde and Edinburgh based Nigel Osborne as well as music by the minimalist composer Terry Riley, the programme promises to be both powerful and innovative.

Accomplished Carnatic (south Indian) violinist Jyotsna Srikanth and tabla master Sarvar Sabri are but two of the musicians that make up the Nava Rasa Ensemble which, together with Simon Thacker, includes Brazilian bassist Mario Caribé, multi-percussionist Iain Sandilands and The Edinburgh Quartet who's principal violinist, Tristan Gurney, may be familiar to some as he is also Head of Strings at Newcastle University.

Influenced by his Jazz, Indian and Western classical training, Shirish Korde also takes inspiration from other world music and computer technology. He has “created a poweful and communicative compositional language” (Computer Music Journal). Nigel Osborne has embraced music from non Western traditions, particularly Indian, and has made a name for himself as being able to effortlessly assimilate incorporate their tones and rhythms into large scale works, having recently collaborated with sarod player Wakahat Khan for Scottish Opera. He has pioneered the use of music in therapy and rehabilitation for children who are victims of conflict, particularly in the Balkans and Middle East.

This should be an entrancing concert with exciting new music performed by an international ensemble of some of the finest musicians in their field.