Turbulence Concerto (for Violin and Orchestra)
Featuring Dr. L. Subramaniam (Violin)

This is a Violin Concerto by Dr. L. Subramaniam in three movements, commissioned and premiered by the Swiss Romande Orchestra for the India Festival in Geneva in 1987.

The first movement starts with an introduction of the eight bar theme by the Viola, Violoncello and Contrabass, joined in repetition by the violins and bassoon. The romantic theme is in Karaharapriya, one of the seventy-two parent scales or ragas in Karnatic (South Indian) Classical Music (this raga corresponds to Dorian mode). It is followed by a turbulent section with the Solo Violin reintroducing the theme with variations. It goes through a transition to introduce the second theme, also in Dorian mode. This is followed by a developmental section with a trade off between the Violin Solo and the orchestra starting in a 10/16 rhythmic cycle, followed by 12/16 leading to a improvised cadenza by the Violin Soloist. This is followed by the recapitulation of the theme. The first movement ends with a turbulent climax by the entire orchestra.

The second movement is based on a very old traditional Karnatic parent scale, Mayamalavagowla. It begins with the harp and strings creating a mystical and meditative mood. It contains a beautiful lyrical melody introduced by the Cor Anglais solo and joined in repetition by the violoncello and Solo Violin leading to an improvised cadenza. The composition continues with a typical traditional Tanam section in Karnatic style, which means little rhythmic motifs played back and forth by the strings. This leads to a cadential ending with the motif repeating three times and goes to the recapitulation section with the Solo violin improvising around the theme.

The third movement starts with an eight bar theme in a pentatonic scale, which is commonly used in Indian music and can also be heard in Indonesian music. It is introduced by the violins. This is followed by the solo violin playing the theme in half the speed, with the notes being doubled. In the developmental section the same melody is played simultaneously in three different speeds creating a complex rhythmic and beautiful harmonic pattern. It leads to an improvised cadenza by the solo violin, followed a trade off by the different orchestral sections and the Solo Violin in different rhythmic cycles with the motifs of the trade off getting shorter and shorter until it becomes two sixteenth notes followed by the brass and woodwinds playing the original theme from the first movement with the strings playing turbulent patterns to support the theme and create a complex effect leading to the climatic ending.

SWISS ROMANDE ORCHESTRA ***
Conducted bu Maestro Andras Ligette
L.Subramaniam
Geneva (India Summer Celebrations)

Polska Filharmonia Sinfonia Baltica (Baltica Symphony Orchestra)
Maestro Bohdan Jarmolowicz
Slupsk, Poland

Leipzig Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
Conducted by Michael Köhler

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