FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE 2015

'Fête de la Musique', also known as World Music Day, began as a music festival in France in the year 1982. Since then it is celebrated all over the world, especially in European countries. This year, just like every other year, Alliance Française de Dhaka arranged a two-day musical programme to celebrate the occasion.

The first day (June 12, 2015) saw performances such as ghazal and an open mic stage but the main highlight was the second and final day (June 13, 2015). Entry was open for all and was free. The event kicked off as eager spectators filled up La Galerie, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka (Dhanmondi) and comfortably seated themselves on chairs and floor mats. The primary performances were by students of the institution, singing the likes of “Papaoutai”, flawlessly in French.

The gallery made for a cosy atmosphere, the colourful paintings hanging all around the walls, setting a perfect artsy mood. The food corner situated in the next room offered scrumptious snacks and beverages to go with the music.

As the main theme of this year's event was western classical music, there were a number of performances belonging to this category. First were classical guitar performances: Aymanur Rahman played the Spanish based “Capricho Arabe”, followed by Mehbeez Binte Matiur who performed classical Scottish music – “Wild Mountain Thyme”. Both are guitar students at Alliance Française de Dhaka but could be easily mistaken for professionals.

There were quite a few piano recitals by students of all ages and their music teachers. Other than western classics such as “Guajira” this included a rendition of Tagore's “Purano Shei Diner Kotha”, performed by Afra Anjum Shayari.

The audience was left in a trance when Md Akash and Abidur Rahman took the stage for a musical duet. The guitar (Abidur) and flute (Akash) were played in perfect harmony as the duo performed four truly enchanting pieces: “Love is Blue”, the famous classics “Ave Maria”, “Scarborough Fair” and the immensely popular “Yesterday” by The Beatles.

Then to add more diversity there were songs, accompanied by guitar, in French, Bangla and English by the multilingual students. The excited audience lost themselves in favourites such as “Annie's Song” and “I'll be There for You” (theme song, Friends). Understandably, everyone was found to be singing along to “Summer of 69” (Bryan Adams).

It was around 7pm when the announcer explained they had something special in store. The lights were dimmed and the stage set up and soon the audience looked up to find an orchestra group of fifteen violinists, clad in black, and conductor Philip Hazra ready on the stage – they were the Dhaka Strings orchestra group. Violinist Asif Mahtab introduced Dhaka Strings and explained they would be playing western classical music as it is “a timeless form of art”; the audience seemed engrossed as the group began playing the rondeau from “Abdelazer”. It was a captivating number performed in perfect synchronisation, and arranged in F major.

With some more solo performances the event drew to a close. Satisfied spectators are certainly eager to find out what next year's Fête de la Musique will bring.

Salma Mohammad Ali fears she is becoming a crazy cat lady and uses writing as a means to grasp on to sanity. Send her your views/hate/love at facebook.com/salma.ali209.