The German Film Orchestra Babelsberg will pay tribute to A. R. Rahman in a multi-city concert tour.

A.R. Rahman along with The German Film Orchestra Babelsberg is all set to write a new chapter in the history of musical collaboration with a unique endeavour titled "Classic Incantations - The German Film Orchestra Babelsberg performs A.R. Rahman". The concert tour will travel to five cities across India from January 20, 2012 to January 29, 2012 and is exclusively presented by Lapp India. The concert tour marks the centenary year of both Studio Babelsberg and Indian Cinema that started out back in 1912. Under the aegis of "Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities", this collaboration is a lighthouse event that brings alive the vibrant exchange in art and culture laying a strong emphasis on the historical friendship between India and Germany.

Choir members from A.R. Rahman's K.M. Music Conservatory, Chennai and renowned soloists will join the Orchestra with performances scheduled in Mumbai followed by Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore. Key highlights of this concert include evergreen compositions from Rahman's illustrious music career arranged by Matt Dunkley ( London) who will conduct the concerts.

Courtesy: Richa Bhatia, TNN | Dec 22, 2011

DUBAI- Oscar and Grammy award winning musician A R Rahman jetted into Dubai yesterday to announce details of his forthcoming concert on December 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sports City. The press conference was held at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa.

The event marks the beginning of his world tour and will include chart-topping hits from his earlier movies like Roja and Dil Se as well as his latest composition for the Ranbir Kapoor starrer Rockstar.

"The main language is music-and there will be songs in Hindi, Tamil and maybe even Malayalam," the crooner promised, saying he "hopes to satisfy his fans in the region" with his selection.

"We have an orchestra from LA, there are going to be saxophone players from the US and of course Indian singers," he continued.

Rahman spoke fondly of his first concert in the region way back in 1998 which he said was "one of the most memorable concerts" he ever performed in.

To a query as to the challenges faced by Indian music today, the maestro replied, "there are no challenges. Today if you do something well, people will notice it."

And while he admitted that the rise of the social media "keeps you on your toes, it also means that people have access to all kinds of music today, which percolates down to them unfiltered, which is both a good and bad thing."

Rahman admitted he had too much on his plate right now to think of any further collaboration with musical heavyweights from the West like the Super Heavy which saw him joining forces with the likes of Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart and Joss Stone.

"My focus is on finishing whatever I have taken on. Right now I am composing the music for Ek Deewana Tha, the remake of the Tamil film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa."

The highly anticipated three and a half hour concert will feature besides Rahman, Mohit Chauhan and Javed Ali of Rockstar fame, percussionist Sivamani, playback singers Suresh Peters, Neeti Muhan and Shweta Pandit. Supporting acts include Canadian singer Natalie Di Luccio and guitarist Sanjeev Thomas.

Courtesy: Khaleej Times, Dubai – 25th November 2011