An evening of French choral music

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A life of an artist is a persistent reciprocation of synergy of worldly knowledge, observation into establishing a modem of self-expression to connect and share.

“You are not working with a dynamic, or physical entity, it's an energy thing that arises. There is no art if there is no one to share it with,” said Maria Forsstrom conductor and vocal coach hailing from Sweden. Maria was joined by her fellow performer and companion Bengt Forsberg, a concert pianist and a Grammy awardee for the best classical solo vocal album.

The two have travelled worldwide, performing their fresh and personal take on classical music and they were in Bangalore for a month conducting workshops, seminars and concerts in accordance with the Bangalore School of Music. Maria recalls attending shows at concert houses with her parents and at a tender age of seven, she was introduced to the piano by her mother.

“During lessons I used to pick up everything at once, not only that I was able to convert written music into my motor ability and that was a fun game. Since then, I cannot imagine being outside of music, I am like a fish in an aquarium.” She said.  

She went on to study church music and piano after which she started performing and conducting shows at The Royal College of Music in Stockholm, at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, and at The RimskyKorsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory.

At the age of 33, she decided to begin her journey in singing. Bengt Forsberg shares that he grew up around music and picked up playing the organ at the age of four. His earlier exploration into music was introduced to him via his family and the church he went to back home and at first he played hymns.

“Music was always important to me, I could not live or think about anything else. My earlier thought was to drive steam engines but finally at the age of 14, I realised that the world of tunes and rhythms is where I want to be. I can never compare the complex diversity of music whether it is classical or modern. Each one of us works very hard and tries to attach our personality to what we want to share” He said.