World Premiere of 'RISE: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor' - Composed by Ganesh B. Kumar

A Major Milestone for Indian Compose Ganesh B. Kumar
Indian composer Ganesh B. Kumar is set to achieve a remarkable milestone as his orchestral work RISE: Symphony No. 1 in D minor receives its World Premiere in Ceremonial Hall, Pesti Vigado, Budapest, Hungary on Sunday, 27 April 2025 at 19:30 hrs. The concert, to be held at the iconic Ceremonial Hall of Pesti Vigado, will be conducted by renowned Maestro Anthony Armore from Vienna and performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, as part of a prestigious line-up featuring works by Beethoven, Ravel, Brahms, and celebrated contemporary composers Mark John McEncroe (Australia) and Franck Dansaert (France).

World Premiere of 'Rise: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor' - Composed by Ganesh B. Kumar

"To see RISE take its place among such timeless and contemporary works is beyond humbling. It’s a moment of deep gratitude and quiet fulfillment for me and my team," Ganesh B. Kumar.

The Origins of "RISE"
RISE - Symphony No.1 in D minor, was composed in 2018 and recorded on 2nd & 3rd of July 2019 in Halle, Germany, as part of his album “Spirit of Humanity” with the Staatskapelle Halle Orchestra, under the baton of Bernd Ruf. The album was released globally in 2020 by Navona Records, the classical imprint of PARMA Recordings (USA). The timing of its release was particularly significant, as 2020 marked the 250th birth anniversary of the legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven - the very soul to whom this symphony pays homage. (For further details, please visit: www.navonarecords.com/catalog).

Following the classical three-movement Symphonic structure (Fast – Slow – Fast), each movement reflects a phase in Beethoven’s artistic and personal journey:

1. Arrival of the Legend (Allegro con brio) Sonata Form

2. Introspection (Andante) Sonata Form

3. Undisputed 'Numero Uno' (Allegro con moto) Sonata Rondo Form

The world premiere was originally slated for July 2020 in Europe. But it had to be postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Its long-awaited debut in April 2025 now carries a deeply symbolic resonance - echoing the very essence of the symphony itself: the triumph of rising after enduring a prolonged pause.

A Legacy of Belief and Support
Ganesh expresses profound thanks to his patron and steadfast supporter, Mr. Anand Madhavan, whose belief in the composer’s vision, was instrumental in transforming RISE from manuscript to reality, "This symphony would have remained just ink on paper if not for the kindness and conviction of Mr. Anand Madhavan. His support and commitment to the arts, continues a legacy of literary patronage - as his great-grandfather Shri V. Krishnaswami Iyer (founder of Indian Bank and the Madras Sanskrit College), was among the first to bring the immortal verses of poet Subramania Bharati to the world, ensuring they reached the hands of young aspiring students across different schools. The same spirit of nurturing creativity lives on through him today."

Acknowledging The Pillars of The Project
The composer extends his heartfelt gratitude to his core team members who stand as unwavering pillars of support:

• V. Muthukumaraguruswamy (Late) – Chief Linguistic Consultant and Spiritual Guide

• Dr. Prem Venkatesh Ram Mohan (United Kingdom) – Project Lead

• Georgina Margarite Ezra – Song writer, Translator and Linguistic Trainer

Ganesh Kumar remains ever grateful to his teacher, Mr. Abdul Sattar, who laid the foundation for his journey in Western Classical music and under whose guidance he pursued his advanced studies.

With deep emotion, Ganesh also remembers his parents, Shri K. Balakrishnan and Smt. T. Sundari, who gave him everything they had and whose unconditional love and sacrifices made this journey possible.

About The Composer
Ganesh B. Kumar, L.T.C.L., is a music composer and producer based in Chennai, India. He holds a Double Licentiate (Practical & Theory) from the Trinity College of Music, London. In his early years, he collaborated with numerous renowned figures, notably working with the legendary filmmaker Padmashri K. Balachander, a recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honour in cinema.

Kumar made his Hollywood debut with the score for the film 9 Lives of Mara. His contribution earned him recognition as a credited Hollywood composer, and the score went on to win the Best Music Soundtrack Award (2008) at the Tabloid Witch Awards Festival in Santa Monica, California.

Kumar's exceptional contributions to music were further acknowledged in 2010 when, Trinity College of Music, London, honored him with a special felicitation for his outstanding achievements in both classical and contemporary music.

One of Kumar's most remarkable accomplishments occurred in 2015 when he composed the first large-scale choral a cappella work in Tamil, featuring the spiritual masterpiece "Shanmuga Kavacham," written by Srimath Pamban Swamigal in 1891. This work had its world premiere by the Chamber Choir of Europe in Wiesbaden, Germany, in a concert titled "Mantra meets Classic," conducted by the esteemed Nicol Matt. Following the premiere, a recording of "Shanmuga Kavacham," along with other mantras presented during the concert, was produced. The album was subsequently released by Hänssler Classic GmbH.

The 2020 album Spirit of Humanity, which also features the Symphony RISE, marked a historic milestone as Kumar became, the first Indian composer to create a Symphonic Poem—THE JOURNEY—honouring the life of Maharaj Jam Saheb Digvijay Singh (fondly named Indian Oskar Schindler). This work highlights Kumar’s exceptional ability to convey profound narratives through the language of music.

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