Hindustani musician and New England Conservatory faculty member Warren Senders is collaborating with three violinists from different world traditions to present ‘Violins For The Planet’, a concert in honor of Earth Day at 7 pm on April 22 at Emmanuel Church in Boston. The concert will feature Carnatic violinist Tara Anand, Eastern European and Middle-Eastern violin expert Beth Bahia Cohen, and jazz-rock musician Mimi Rabson. This will be the fourth in the Climate Concerts series that Warren Senders has initiated, in response to his concerns about global warming and climate change, with proceeds going to 350.org, an environmental organization with worldwide reach.
Senders’ passion as an environmental activist is evident when he speaks about the concerts, which were conceived as “an antidote to the despair” he felt about global warming and when he realized that donating money was no longer enough. “I used to be a concert producer in a previous life, producing performing arts events and festivals”, he says, adding that he utilized his networks from this background to invite artists from different cultures for the first Climate Concert in October 2009. Past concerts have included the traditional Ghanaian Agbekor Drum and Dance Society, Hindustani tabla virtuoso Akshay Navaladi, legendary Jazz master Bob Moses, the Aparna Sindhoor Dance Theater and jazz singer Dominique Eade. “Climate change doesn’t know cultural boundaries”, Senders says. “These artists from widespread traditions are more than happy to share a stage and donate their time for the cause.” Senders has featured Indian artists at each of the eclectic Climate Change concerts and praises the local Indian community for its willingness to help the cause.The upcoming Violins For The Planet concert will showcase the talents of 3 diverse artists who are also committed to raising environmental awareness.
Tara Anand is an acclaimed Carnatic violinist and vocalist, and has been honored by the Chennai, India based Krishna Gana Sabha and The Music Academy. One of New England’s sought-after music teachers, she has been offering vocal and violin lessons for over 2 decades and was awarded the Best Teacher award at the Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana Festival.
Watertown-based violinist Beth Bahia Cohen is a faculty member in the World Music Program at Tufts University, and performs and teaches workshops on Middle Eastern, Eastern European, Greek and Turkish music in conservatories and universities throughout the U.S. Beth will be accompanied during the concert by Mac Ritchey (oud, percussion) and Todd Roach (percussion).
Berklee College of Music faculty member Mimi Rabson offers workshops at schools, colleges and universities throughout the country. Hailed by Sir Yehudi Menuhin as “Truly original and marvelous”, she has appeared on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’, ‘Prairie Home Companion’, Avery Fisher Hall and venues throughout the world.
To purchase tickets or for more information about the Violins For The Planet concert, please call 781-396-0734, or go to the event website.
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