The evening is a performance of two halves, where the audience will first hear ‘pure and traditional’ classical music of both traditions with Wajahat Khan playing an Evening Raag (Raga) on his sarod with tabla accompaniment, and the Medici String Quartet performing music by Beethoven. This will provide an ideal opportunity for the audience to listen to two very diverse but ‘classical’ musical vehicles – Indian and Western.

The second half will see a union of the two approaches with a fresh sounding piece spread over four movements; the Sarod Quintet has been written by Wajahat Khan using a beautiful and well-known Indian Raag (Raga) called Desh. The piece is entitled ‘Raag Desh’.

Wajahat Khan and the Medici String Quartet first met when they shared a concert stage at a music festival. Mr Khan states after meeting and hearing the great Quartet he was inspired and commissioned into action. He said: “Having enjoyed writing and performing two sarod concertos, I had been wanting to write for a string quartet for a long time, as I feel that this kind of Chamber music is more suited to Indian classical music than a Philharmonic orchestra.”

The Medici String Quartet: The Medici String Quartet is widely regarded as one of Britain’s leading international ensembles and since its conception nearly 35 years ago, it has appeared to critical acclaim in more than 50 countries across the world. The Quartets current line-up is: David Le Page (violin); Steven Morris (violin); Ivo-Jan van der Werff (viola) and Anthony Lewis (cello).

“As a quartet we had to learn how to lose our very strict and rather stiff western way of music making and instead learn how to sound Indian, technically a very different approach. Mr Khan’s music is full of colour and vitality and, having to think in a very different way about playing, is inspiring and ultimately immensely rewarding.” said Ivo-Jan van der Werff, violist with the Medici String Quartet.

This concert will mark the Medici String Quartet’s first time at The Sage Gateshead and they hope it will encourage more people to listen to both the Indian and western traditions of music. Jan van der Werff continued: “The word cross-over is much bandied about, but when two great musical traditions come together like in this piece, it really proves that music knows no borders and is truly universal. Especially in this day and age of tension in every aspect of life, music unifies and can bring people together.”

Ticket Details:
To book tickets for Wednesday 14th December please call The Sage Gateshead ticket office by contacting (0191) 4434661, alternatively visit www.thesagegateshead.org - tickets are priced at £12 / £6. This is the same number to call for your free workshop place.

Additional event information: A pre-concert talk with Wajahat Khan (Wednesday 14th December, 7pm) - free to ticket holders only – the talk will be an introduction to Indian Classical Music; and will also discuss details about the instruments and music the audience will experience during the evening’s concert.