The Piatti Play Sohal - String Quartet Recording

Naresh Sohal (1939 – 2018) was one of the most remarkable composers of his generation, a man of ambition, talent and philosophical insight. Born in Punjab, India, he cut short his education in science and engineering at DAV college and came to the UK in 1962, virtually penniless, determined to become a composer of Western classical music.

By the time of his sudden death in 2018, he had produced an extraordinary and extensive body of work that included major pieces for orchestra; innovative chamber works; a ballet score; two music theatre pieces; the scores for a number of television series and film songs for the Bollywood director Dev Anand (Goldie).

He received eight commissions from the BBC, two of which were for major Proms pieces, and one from the Edinburgh International Festival. His works were performed by highly regarded artists both in the UK and abroad, and were often broadcast on radio. In 1987, he was awarded a Padma Shree (Order of the Lotus) by the Government of India for his services to music.

Sadly, there are worrying signs that Naresh's distinctive musical output is being forgotten. No orchestra has programmed any of his works since he died, and approximately ten recordings of his works have already been deleted from the BBC archives.

The good news is that in April 2024, the talented and highly acclaimed Piatti Quartet, will record four of Naresh’s five string quartets for Toccata Classics. These will be released as a CD and on various streaming platforms. The works span over thirty years of the composer’s career, and range from expressions of the turbulent emotions of early years to the more sombre insights of maturity. Importantly, two of the works will be receiving their premieres as well as their first recording!!! The Piatti are currently the resident quartet at King’s Place in London, and have won rave reviews for their recordings of other contemporary composers.

Given Naresh’s special cultural perspective and his unique musical voice, it is important that his legacy survives. Not least, he serves as a role model for all young people of dual heritage who aspire to express themselves through the medium of Western classical music.

But making such recordings doesn’t come cheap, and this one will cost in the region of £16,000. The Ralph Vaughan Williams Foundation have already committed £2,000 to the project and the Sohal Estate a further £5,000, but we seek donations, no matter how small, to help achieve the full amount. With your generosity it will then be possible to move onto recordings of more of the composer’s works that need to reach the listening public and which deserve much wider appreciation.

With thanks.

Janet Swinney - on behalf of the Sohal Estate

https://www.nareshsohal.com

The Piatti's opening concert at King's Place - Schubert and Dvorak.