The Performer In the concert history
of Indian music, L.Subramaniam is among the few of the world's
greatest musicians who have earned an international reputation
of complete, unmatched integrity. L.Subramaniam, who has begun
a new era in violin playing, executed by his very individualistic,
brilliant and masterful style, has become a legend in his
own time. The most respected and renowned Indian violinist
on the International scene, Subramaniam has been hailed by
his critics and connoisseurs alike as one of the greatest
performers of all times. "If there is any musician who
has contributed towards the popularisation of Karnatic (South
Indian Classical) music in the West, it is violinist L.Subramaniam"
says a leading newspaper in the U.S.
His prodigious talent was evident at the early age of two,
when he could repeat musical phrases that he heard his father,
Professor V. Lakshminarayana, sing. After initial training
in vocal music and percussion, he switched to the violin and
took the musical world by storm when he gave his first violin
performance at the tender age of six. While he was learning
and performing music, he also completed his studies in Medical
school and registered as a Medical practitioner. But his love
for music was all-consuming and he gave up Medicine for Music.
Since then, he has taken this age-old, rich tradition of music
to places where it has never been heard before and also performed
in prestigious venues like the Bolshoi Theatre, The Lincoln
Center, Royal Albert Hall, the Champs Elysees Theatre, The
Madison Square Garden and the United Nations to name a few.
Dr.Subramaniam has the unique distinction of excelling in
many genres of music from Indian classical, Jazz fusion, Western
Classical and his own orchestral compositions which he has
written, conducted and / or performed with major orchestras
including the New York Philharmonic, Swiss Romande Orchestra,
USSR TV-Radio Symphony, Budapest Symphony, Oslo Philharmonic
and the New Zealand Symphony just to name a few.
Besides solo performances he has also collaborated with several
legendary musicians like Lord Yehudi Menuhin, and Jazz greats
of the likes of Stephane Grappelli, Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample
and the Crusaders. He has recorded and produced over one hundred
recordings including a five-volume "Anthology of Indian
Music" for the prestigious Ocora label of Radio France.
He is also the host of the first Video presentation of Indian
Classical Music and Dance entitled, "Master Musicians
from India". He has received several honors, awards and
titles including the coveted National Award of "Padmashree"
from the Government of India and the title "Violin Chakravarti"
(Emperor of Violinists) from the Governor of Madras. He received
the prestigious National award for "The Most Creative
Artist" given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (the National
Academy of the Arts of India) from the President of India
and a special title and award of "Nada Chakravarti"
(Emperor of Sound) from H.H.Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swami-ji
at Trinidad (West Indies).
He has written a book on Indian classical music and it's traditions,
with his wife, the late Vijayshree Subramaniam entitled "Euphony".
This is a very valuable resource to connoisseurs, performers
and students alike. The book was released in January of 1996,
at the Music Academy in Madras, and is in great demand. His
recent releases of his CD's include the unique double CD entitled
Electric Modes released by Waterlily Acoustics, and Pacific
Rendezvous released by Ode records from New Zealand. He has
also just received an award for the best music score for the
Indian national television show Surabhi.
He has scored music for award-winning Television series and
movies like "Salaam Bombay" and "Mississippi
Masala" and was also the musical advisor for Peter Brook's
historical stage production of the Mahabharata. He has been
featured as a soloist in the movie, "Little Buddha"
by Bernardo Bertolucci. He has recorded with Jazz greats like
Stephane Grappelli, Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample, Maynard Ferguson,
Hubert Laws, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Larry Coryell, Tony
Williams and many others.
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