Confucius and Beethoven inspired Chennai -based music composer Ganesh B Kumar to inspire

In a moment, a cool spark leap for centuries to ignite the imagination of a composer in ancient China and 19th century Vienna-Chennai in a moment. It was 2018, and stumbled on a quote by Ganesh B Kumar, City-Bred musician, Confucius: ‘Our greatest glory is never falling, but every time we fall, growing.’

At that moment, Bethoven’s soul stood in front of him, breathing through the words of Chinese philosopher. Thus the growth began: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor – A work that was of its world premiere last Sunday in the Ceremonial Hall of Pasti Wigdo in Budapest last Sunday, which was done by Budapest Symphony Orchestra under the Baton of Vinnise conductor Anthony Armore.

The evening marked a rare meeting of the past and the present: a Chennai’s musician offered a music reflection on Bethoven’s struggles, in a hall, which has been a witness for permanent conversation between music and history.

Ganesh says, “At first glance, Confucius and Bethoven seem far away.” “But that day, some told me otherwise. Beethoven’s life was an incarnation of words – deafness, disappointment, and illness, yet continuously growing to create music that would outline his time.”

Struved in three movements, RISE navigated Beethoven’s emotional landscape with deliberate design. The first movement, the arrival of legend, runs in the Elegro Con Brio, which occupies the commanding of Bethoven in the world of music with an energy that feels immediate but controlled. Second, introspection, manifests at an end -end speed – allows space to absorb the magnitude of internal conflicts of slow, reflective, beethoven. The third, undisputed nambbo uno set in Elgro Con Moto, proceeds with speed, detects a flexible climb towards permanent victory.

One of the most recognizable subjects of music in the heart of the rise is a quiet revaluation: ‘Ta-Ta-Ta-Taa’ Motif from Bethoven’s fifth symphony. Traditionally, it is built on a falling third, which suggests luck or conflict. Ganesh turned it upwards – in a growing fifth – an option that changes his character without losing his identity.

“Beethoven saw the Destiny knocking with that figure to his door,” says Ganesh. “But when we look at her life completely, it grows more, speaks more than falling. I wanted to keep rhythm and pulse but raised energy.”

Symphony’s journey on stage has reflected ideas that keep it. Ganesh recorded an increase in Germany in 2019, preparing a scheduled premiere in Poland, a country that was closely connected to its earlier work, The Journey. The dates were set; Rehearsal was planned. Then came 2020 – and with it, the closure silenced the concert hall worldwide. Ganesh recalls, “It felt that one should wait inside a storm.”

Instead of waiting indefinitely, Ganesh and his colleagues chose another path. His label, Navona Records, released the recording of Rise and the Journey Together under the title ‘Spirit of Humanity’. This was a suitable moment. That year was marked as the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth and the 75th year since the end of World War II – two milestones were deeply tied to the spirit of both compositions.

When the Rise finally reached a live audience in Budapest last Sunday, it left the impression of that long preparation. Pasi Vigado, standing by Danube, provided a setting with history. As the music grew through the hall, it not only offered a reflection of Bethoven’s endurance, but also requires the necessary patience and perseverance to bring any creative vision into existence.

Ganesha’s voice as a musician takes shape from the meeting of traditions. Although Uday is written in the language of Western classical music – its emotional ground with its Sonata forms and Tanwala structures is drawn from Indian ethos, with which he grew up.

Ganesh says, “The idea behind music comes from my Indian upbringing.” “But the structure I have chosen to express them is Western classical.”

In growth, descending phrases draw the challenges of Beethowen, while ascending people deny the yield.

“I hope people will see themselves in music,” they say. “They feel, in their own way, what does it mean to fall and get up again.”

For Ganesh B Kumar, music has always been more than sound. This is the task of remembering, and also to move forward. This is the story of a quiet step at once.