Eternity in an Hour

‘What is here may be found elsewhere; what is not here is nowhere at all.’

Indian and Western philosophies converse in tonight’s recital, in a fusion of cultures, perspectives and soundscapes. Commissioned for this year’s Festival, Indian- American composer Reena Esmail’s settings of Sanskrit verses from the Bhagavad Gita draw out the essence of Vedantic thought, and are interspersed with music from the canon of Lied repertoire, highlighting the ways in which Western and Eastern philosophies converge and diverge. Two outstanding artists join forces for this unique reimagining of India’s most celebrated and influential scripture, and its fascinating relationship with European poetry and music.