L. Subramaniam
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| L. Subramaniam | |
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 L. Subramaniam performing at a 2003 concert in Chennai.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Subramaniam Lakshminarayanan |
| Also known as | Dr. L. Subramaniam, L. K. Subramaniam |
| Born | July 23, 1947 Chennai |
| Genre(s) | Classical, fusion, jazz, occidental |
| Occupation(s) | Violinist, composer, conductor, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, record producer, pedagogue |
| Instrument(s) | Violin, percussion, synthesizers, vocals |
| Years active | 1973 – present |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Violin | |
Lakshminarayanan Subramaniam (Subramaniam Lakshminarayanan, L. Subramaniam) (born on July 23, 1947) is an acclaimed Indian violinist, composer and conductor, trained in the classical Carnatic music tradition and Western classical music, and renowned for his virtuoso playing techniques and compositions in orchestral fusion.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early years
L. Subramaniam lived in Jaffna during his younger years, taking up music studies before the age of five.[1] He began training in violin under the tutelage of his father, Professor V. Lakshminarayanan. “Mani”, as he is fondly known by fellow musicians and his family, gave his first public performance at the tender age of six. His brothers are also acclaimed musicians, and include the well-known violinist-composers L. Shankar (alias. Shenkar), and L. Vaidyanathan. He has released recordings with both. Subramaniam developed a passion for music as well as science from a young age, studying Medicine and acquiring his M.B.B.S. at Madras Medical College. He registered as a General Practioner, before deciding to pursue music full-time.[1] He has a Master’s degree in Western classical music, which he acquired at the California Institute of the Arts.[1]
[edit] Summary of career
Since 1973, Subramaniam has amassed over 150 recordings to his credit, releasing several historic solo albums, recording collaborations with musicians Yehudi Menuhin, Stéphane Grappelli, Ruggiero Ricci and Jean-Pierre Rampal, further to making albums and performing with Steven Seagal, Ruggiero Ricci, Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample, Jean-Luc Ponty and several others.[2]
He has accompanied highly regarded vocalists in Carnatic music on stage including Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna and M. D. Ramanathan. He has also performed many concerts with the venerable Palghat Mani Iyer on the Mridangam, in addition to collaborating with musicians of North Indian Hindustani music and artists of other music systems.[2]
Subramaniam has written works for orchestras, ballets and Hollywood film scores, and written books on music - such as Euphony - in addition to composing symphonys and Carnatic pieces.[2][3]
In 1983, he composed a “Double Concerto for violin and flute” which combined western scales with micro intervals. Another release, “Spring – Rhapsody” was a homage to Bach and Baroque music. Creations with orchestras that have followed include “Fantasy on Vedic Chant” with the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta, “Turbulence” with the The Swiss Romande Orchestra, “The Concert of Two Violins” with the Oslo Philharmonic, and “Global Symphony” with the Berlin State Opera (broadcast live to 28 nations) among others.[3] He has also performed a concert tour of China, with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra in Beijing.
He composed the film scores for the films Salaam Bombay (1988) and Mississippi Masala (1991) directed by Mira Nair, in addition to being the featured violin soloist in Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha (1993) and Cotton Mary (1991) of Merchant-Ivory productions.[2]
His compositions have been used in stage presentations of leading dance companies such as the San Jose Ballet company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Subramaniam composed the piece “Shanti Priya” for the Mariinsky Ballet.
The release of his albums, including Global Fusion in 1999 have brought Subramaniam widespread critical acclaim, and popularity for his advanced playing. He founded and directs the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival, a festival based in India. In 2004, he completed a world tour with the festival, including concerts in the US (Lincoln Centre, New York), the Asian Pacific region including in Perth, Australia, at the Esplanade, Singapore, the Sri Dewan Penang Hall in Penang and the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Performing with Subramaniam at the festival in January 2005 were violin maestro Arve Tellefsen, the Oslo Camerata, jazz legends Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Earl Klugh and Ravi Coltrane.
More recently, in September 2007, Subramaniam premiered and played “The Freedom Symphony” with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, Warrenton Chorale and Carnatic percussionists, which led to a strongly favourable ovation and an encore piece “Flight of the Humble Bee”. He was at Muscat for the first time where he played with leading musicians on February 7 at the Muscat Intercontinental.
The renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin said of Subramaniam: “I find nothing more inspiring than the music making of my very great colleague Subramaniam. Each time I listen to him, I am carried away in wonderment.”[2]
[edit] Awards and recognition
Throughout his career L. Subramaniam has won several awards and accolades. Declared "Violin Chakravarthy" – Emperor of Violinists by the Governor of Madras,[1] he received a Grammy nomination in 1981. In 1996, he received the "Best Composer Award/Commission" from the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation NRK P2 radio channel. Subramaniam received a Special Medal of Honour from HH King Birendra of Nepal in 1997, following a performance celebrating 25 years of the king's reign. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988 and Padma Bhushan in 2001. In recognition of his contribution to music, the University of Madras in 2004 and the Bangalore University in 2003 both conferred him with Honorary Doctorates.
[edit] Personal life
Born into a Tamil musical family, Subramaniam’s father, V. Lakshminarayanan, and his mother, V. Seethalakshmi were accomplished musicians. He was married to Viji Subramanian, who died on February 9, 1995 and since November 1999, has been married to the Indian playback singer Kavita Krishnamoorthy. He continues to perform pieces with his daughter Seetaa Subramaniam, violin duets with his son, Ambi Subramaniam, a featured soloist in “Astral Symphony,” and has further recorded and given several concerts with Krishnamoothy.
[edit] Discography (partial)
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of Subramaniam's works, but a select few titles.
- Garland (1978) (L. Subramaniam featuring Svend Asmussen)
- Fantasy without Limits (1980)
- Spanish Wave (1983 and 1991, Milestone)
- Indian Classcial Masters: Three Ragas for Solo Violin (1991 and 1992, Nimbus Records)
- Kalyani (1996, Water Lily Acoustics)
- Raga Hemavathi (Nimbus Records)
- Distant Visions
- Pacific Rendezvous (1996, Manu)
- Indian Express / Mani & Co. (1999, Milestone)
- Global Fusion (1999, Elektra / Wea)
- Electric Modes Volumes 1 & 2 (Water Lily Acoustics)
[edit] Collaborations with other artists
- L. Subramaniam with Stéphane Grappelli: Conversations (1992, Milestone)
- L. Subramaniam and Yehudi Menhuin: L. Subramaniam and Yehudi Menhuin in New York
- L. Subramaniam and Larry Coryell: From the Ashes (1999, Water Lily Acoustics)
- L. Subramaniam and Ali Akbar Khan: Duet (1996, Delos Records)
- L. Subramaniam with Yehudi Menhuin and Stéphane Grappelli: All the Worlds Violins (1993)
- Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (Double CD) (Sony Music)
[edit] Live albums
- L. Subramaniam: Live in Moscow (1988 and 2000, BMG / Viji Records)
- L. Subramaniam en Concert (1995, Ocora)
- L. Subramaniam: Live in France
- L. Subramaniam: Live in Geneva
[edit] Filmography (partial)
[edit] Composer
- Salaam Bombay! (1988) (composer, music arranger, musician: violinist)
- Mississippi Masala (1991) (composer, musician: violin, violin synthesizers, percussions)
[edit] Soloist
- Little Buddha (1993) (violinist)
- Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996) (violinist)
- Cotton Mary (1999) (violinist)
[edit] Additional soundtracks
- Peace One Day (2004) (composer, performer: "Gypsy Trail")
- Baraka (1992) (performer: "Wandering Saint")
[edit] On Subramaniam
- L. Subramaniam: Violin From the Heart (1999). Directed by Jean Henri Meunier.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Artist: L. Subramaniam. Concord Music Group (March 1986). Retrieved on 1 December, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e L. Subramaniam: Short Biography. Sampad (February 2005). Retrieved on 20 February, 2007.
- ^ a b L. Subramaniam: Official Site. Official Site. Retrieved on 20 February, 2007.
