Understanding Western Classical Music

Zane Dalal, has been instrumental in spreading awareness about western music to a wider audience in India. An extremely talented musician and an excellent conductor, Mr. Dalal has a deep understanding of different styles, substantive musical ideas, splendid virtuosity of gesture and power of communication with orchestra members. Born and educated in England he holds two masters degrees in Music – from the University of Oxford, UK and Indiana University at Bloomington. Making his debut at Indiana University in the 1980's Mr. Dalal has been conducting all over the world since. In 2007, Dalal joined the National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai – as Resident Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of India. Founded in August 2006, the Symphony Orchestra of India is the result of collaboration between NCPA and Music Director, Marat Bisengaliev. This orchestra has fast become one of the premier performing organizations in South Asia with a wide ranging repertoire from J.S. Bach to Richard Strauss. The orchestra has also performed on a larger scale presenting an international production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Mr. Dalal is closely involved in all aspects of the Symphony Orchestra of India – rehearsing and conducting the musicians, lecturing, giving pre-concert talks and helping to shape the growth of the organization. He also teaches history, theory, sight singing and general musicianship to the Indian musicians of the SOI. Mr. Dalal currently supervises the NCPA initiative to teach the Suzuki Method of Violin Playing to young children in Mumbai. This successful project has doubled in capacity in a short time. Mr. Dalal is committed to bringing the joys of western classical music to a wider audience.