Album info

Album-Release:
2020

HRA-Release:
26.06.2020

Label: Navona

Genre: Classical

Subgenre: Orchestral

Artist: Staatskapelle Halle Orchestra & Bernd Ruf, Choir of the Opera Halle & Markus Fischer

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Album including Album cover

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FLAC 48 $ 13.20
  • Ganesh B. Kumar (b. 1966): Rise:
  • 1Rise: I. Allegro con brio07:30
  • 2Rise: II. Andante07:47
  • 3Rise: III. Allegro con moto07:07
  • Ganesh B. Kumar:
  • 4The Journey26:12
  • 5Undaal Amma Ivvulagam (A Capella Version)02:42
  • Total Runtime51:18

Info for Kumar: Spirit of Humanity



A historical feast awaits listeners on Ganesh Kumar's first NAVONA release SPIRIT OF HUMANITY. Half intended as an homage to Beethoven, half a musical portrayal of a little-known refugee crisis in World War II, it aims to be an epically emotional orchestral experience.

The distinctly Indian twist of SPIRIT OF HUMANITY is not only owed to Kumar's nationality, but also to the commissioner of the recorded works, the Dhahara Vidhya Foundation. Why Kumar would be asked to create Rise, a symphony inspired by Beethoven in time for the 250th birth anniversary of the great composer appears obvious. The piece draws heavily on Beethovian elements from the first measure to the last, and includes, among others, reminiscences of Beethoven's most popular themes, such as the opening motif of the composer's Fifth Symphony, but consciously introducing a rising figuration (as against the falling 3rds of the original) signifying positivity and perseverance.

Much less apparent, and thus perhaps more interesting, is the provenance of the other recorded work, The Journey – From Despair to Hope – A Symphonic Poem. This large piece of program music reminds the listener of the little-known, terrible hardships of Polish refugees in the early 1940's, when thousands of displaced Poles in Russia, owing to a great humanitarian act by Maharaj Jam Saheb Digvijay Singhji, embarked on an arduous journey to India, and found a new home in the then-princely Indian state of Nawanagar. Kumar's uncanny ability to paint the deprivation, depletion, and truculent perseverance of the refugees in stark tonal colors is nothing short of jaw-dropping; and the finale, an extolment of the Maharaj's generosity, vividly evokes satisfaction and relief in the face of suffering overcome. The symphonic poem makes a powerful case for pacifism on the 75th anniversary of the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, to the Allied forces in 1945, thereby ending World War II in Europe.

Finally, a bonus track rounds off the album with an a cappella Undaal Amma Ivvulagam in the Tamil language. This Indian ending is a fitting encore, considering that it is emotionally intense like the rest of SPIRIT OF HUMANITY – and, perhaps, like Ganesh Kumar himself.

Staatskapelle Halle Orchestra
Bernd Ruf, conductor
Vocal Quartet:
Jaqueline Zierau, soprano
Peggy Klemm, alto
Maik Gruchenberg, baritone
Matthias Schulze, bass
Choir of the Opera Halle
Markus Fischer, conductor
Shalini Singh Balaji, vocals
Keshav Vinod Kumar, vocals



Ganesh B. Kumar
L.T.C.L. is a music composer/producer from Chennai, India. He obtained his double Licentiate from the Trinity College of Music, London, under the tutelage of the renowned teacher Mr. Abdul Sattar. It was always his desire to compose music that would elevate the spirit of mankind. This goal has not changed to this day, and remains his standard of accomplishment as a composer.

Kumar has worked with the legendary South Indian film director Shri. K. Balachander and has scored music for his films, tele-films, serials, and soaps. He was commissioned to write a classical piece by the reputed duo of pianist Marcel Worms and flautist Eleonore Pameijer from The Netherlands, who were chosen as the “Ambassadors for Peace” by UNICEF for their “Six Continental Project.”

The spiritual organization Brahma Kumaris commissioned Kumar to compose and produce an audio/visual project titled Voice of Truth that was released in 127 countries. He has scored music for a Hollywood film, earning him the status of a credited Hollywood composer. His score for the English film titled 9 Lives of Mara was awarded the “Best Music Soundtrack - 2008” at the Tabloid Witch Awards Festival, held in Santa Monica CA.

In recognition of his achievements, he was felicitated by the Trinity College of Music, London in 2010 for his outstanding contribution to the field of music, both in classical and contemporary.

Kumar composed choral music for a spiritual masterpiece titled Shanmuga Kavacham written in 1891 in the Tamil language by the Divine Saint Poet Srimath Pamban Swamigal. This was the first ever large-scale choral work written in any Indian language. The World Premiere of Shanmuga Kavacham, and other mantras titled Mantra meets Classic, was performed by the Chamber Choir of Europe on September 20, 2015 at Kurhaus Wiesbaden, Germany, under the baton of the acclaimed German conductor Nicol Matt.

Kumar has now composed and produced two large scale orchestral works commissioned by the Dhahara Vidhya Foundation, Chennai, India. RISE is a symphony in three movements, invoking the spirit of positivity, and THE JOURNEY is a symphonic poem glorifying the spirit of humanity. He is probably the first composer from India to have written and recorded a symphonic poem.

This album contains no booklet.

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