India's premier Paranjoti Academy Chorus will perform the Brahms' Requiem at the Tata Theatre, NCPA, on March 27th 2015 at 7 pm. This exquisite piece will be performed in English, and according to the original setting for two pianos by the Brahms.

Conducted by Maestra Coomi Wadia, the 43 member strong choir will be accompanied by two renowned pianists and two vocal soloists. Canadian pianist Paul Stewart, Professor of Piano, Universite de Montreal and Indian pianist Parvesh Java, director of Con Brio, The John Gomes Memorial Piano Competition and Festival.

Both the vocal soloists have been singing from a very early age. Joanne D'mello, Soprano, has also been called Goa's classical singing sensation, started at the age of 3 and her voice receives much praise from around the world. Rahul Bhardwaj, a baritone, is a trained Opera singer and began singing Hindustani classical as a child.

Coomi Wadia explains, “This Requiem by Johannes Brahms between 1865-1868 is a challenging piece for chorus, soloists and originally written for two pianos. The seven movements together last for 70 minutes, making it Brahms longest composition. We have chosen to perform this work of art, during the season of Lent just like it was first performed in 1868."

The Chorus has been conducted by Coomi Wadia for the past 47 years and has frequently toured Europe, the United States, Japan, Spain, Russia, the Philippines and Korea, and has won several coveted prizes. Its vast repertoire ranges from medieval European music to the most modern works of new composers. Primarily an 'a capella' group, the Chorus has sung in more than 22 languages and has performed great choral master pieces including Bach's Mass in B minor and St. John Passion, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Coronation Mass  and Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.

Besides having in its repertoire compositions by Victor Paranjoti,  after whom the choir is named, the Chorus has put to voice works by Vanraj Bhatia in Sanskrit,  Gujarati and Hindi. Other Indian composers include J. Amaldev, Rev. Narayan Vaman Tilak, Nariman Wadia, Abel D'Cruz and V. Narayanaswamy.

The Paranjoti Academy Chorus is a dedicated group of amateurs from various religions and castes - Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Parsees.  They come from various professions - Students, teachers, senior management, engineers, architects, businessmen, accountants, doctors and housewives.

Venue: Tata Theatre, NCPA,

Date: March 27th 2015

Time: 7 pm.

Tickets: Rs.750, 500, 300 (Available at the NCPA box office)