Zubin Mehta Talks Symphony Orchestra of India Concerts

The Mumbai-born conductor leads a slightly offbeat selection for the SOI Autumn 2024 Season, taking place on Aug. 17 and 18, followed by Aug. 24 and 25

- NARENDRA KUSNUR

A year after he conducted the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) at Mumbai’s luxurious Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, maestro Zubin Mehta returns to the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) with a sense of satisfaction. “In the last concert, our program included Gustav Mahler’s difficult Symphony No. 1, Titan. The musicians did a wonderful job, and I wouldn’t have been here again if I wasn’t convinced of their abilities,” he says.

The 88-year-old Mumbai-born conductor, who had to postpone his original 2022 concert when doctors advised him rest, looks very exuberant before his first rehearsal. What’s challenging is that instead of popular composers like Beethoven and Mozart, or forms like the symphony and concerto, Mehta will lead a slightly offbeat selection this time. “After discussing with Khushroo N. Suntook [NCPA chairman] we decided to go ahead and okay the two Strausses,” says Mehta.