Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Zane Dalal conducted the first in a series of UK concerts to maximum effect, with a programme ranging from fizzing Berlioz to a concerto for tabla and orchestra
"Dalal opened with a fizzing performance of Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, which provided an opportunity to appreciate the quality of the orchestra’s woodwind playing and the fierce solidity of its brass. And every section of the SOI received an even more searching examination in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. There was no doubting the character of the principal clarinet and bassoon, or the rich depth of the string tone, the latter led by the solo violin of Adelina Hasani. Nor was there doubting Dalal’s ability to use it all to maximum effect."
Andrew Clements – The Guardian
The week in classical: Symphony Orchestra of India/ Dalal; Vienna Philharmonic/ Fischer; the Sixteen
"Many top soloists, and conductor Zane Dalal … leading this tour, have worked with the SOI already, boosting standards and confidence."
"Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture made an exuberant opening, and the choice of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Arabian Nights fantasy, Scheherazade, Op 35, had obvious occidental-oriental logic. Brass and woodwind showed their strengths."
Fiona Maddocks – The Observer – The Week in Classical
"This unique musical twinning … saw Hussain bring out a tremendous array of colour from his paired drums, his subtle hemiolas perfectly entwining around Dalal’s measured beat and the orchestra’s steady tactus"
"Opening the programme with Berlioz’s overture Le Carnaval Romain, The orchestra played with a springy, youthful feel. Dalal’s beat was crisp and clear..."
"“... performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. Conducting here was ...subtle and stylish, Dalal carefully teasing at the shifts in tempi and pulling out the nuances of the work. In a performance which could rival some of Europe’s major orchestras, the SOI wove a vivid tapestry evocative of Scheherazade’s tales, with soaring woodwind, punchy brass and warm strings. This is clearly an orchestra that’s going places."
Miranda Heggie – The Arts Desk
"...the orchestra’s performance of Scheherazade, ...the joy of this performance was the quartet of woodwind principals, ... Clarinets kicked up their heels – and lifted their bells – in the opening Sea and Sinbad's Ship episode, ... Dalal’s Scheherazade was stately..."
Mark Pullinger – Bachtrack
"...the conductor was the elegant, clear-beating and obviously assiduous rehearser Zane Dalal (I would love to hear him conduct The Rite of Spring). He framed Peshkar with a brilliant Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture and a stirring Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade. ... the whole concept worked well as chamber-music played on a huge symphonic canvas. The encore could not have been more topical and politically appropriate: The Magnificent Seven."
Christopher Morley – Midlands Classical Music Making
A Persuasive UK Debut from India’s first-ever symphony orchestra.
Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
"...this is a serious outfit with a rich, grainy sound and some striking individual players among the woodwind in particular. Under its associate music director, British-born conductor… Zane Dalal, the orchestra launched with a performance of Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture that whirled along at a startling pace."
"...the performance after the interval of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade was an opportunity for those solo players to shine…it was a full blooded and stirring rendition."
Ivan Hewett – The Daily Telegraph ★★★★ Four Star Review
Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
Hrishi K with Zane Dalal
Click here to listen to the interview
"Stepping into another conductor’s shoes can be a thankless task, but for the second and third performances (of Puccini’s La Bohème) the SOI’s associate music director Zane Dalal took up the baton and held everything together with complete fluency. Having retained Rizzi’s tempos on February 9th, he broadened things a little on February 11 to accommodate two changes of cast.
...these performances captured the enduring freshness of Puccini’s opera…truer to the spirit of the piece…than many a grander production."
John Allison – OPERA NOW – April 2017
Comments and Responses following a live performance of
Mahler: Symphony No. 1
Symphony Orchestra of India
Zane Dalal – Associate Music Director and Conductor
22 September, 2016
Click here to read comments and responses
January 2015
An Evening with Zane Dalal - Literary Society of Bombay
September 2014
Zane Dalal was appointed Associate
Music Director of the Symphony
Orchestra of India
India at Victoria Hall:
LE TEMPS
ST. GALLER TAGBLATT
Zürcher Unterländer