Music is the universal language that makes our ears rejoice and hearts sing. That was the case when my children and I attended the “My City, My Song,” family concert at Carnegie Hall this past weekend.
The spellbinding 60-minute show featured three musicians hailing from Mali, Greece and Mumbai who now reside in New York City. Each performer introduced the audience to their incredibly distinct music genres including Indian Classical, Greek Folk and Malian Traditions — that many of the young concertgoers probably weren’t familiar with.
Enchanting melodies from around the globe were beautifully woven throughout the show. Plus, each of the artists’ sets spotlighted prominent musical instruments from their respective countries. From the accordion to the kora, children in the audience were treated to a lesson on the unique sounds each of the instruments made, which provided a fun educational element.
In addition to learning, the audience got the chance to sing and dance along thanks to the interactive portions of the show.
The first artist to grace the stage was Falu Shah. Dressed in a gorgeous magenta sari, the Mumbai native instantly commanded attention. Her melodic, captivating voice was pure perfection. Her Indian classical tunes of “Rabba” and “Allahoo” mesmerized the audience with its invigorating, upbeat syncopation.
Next up was Magda Giannikou, a Queens, N.Y resident who was born and raised near Athens, Greece. Magda was a ball of energy whose sound was reminiscent of Irish folk. The accordion plays a huge role in the foundation of Greek folk music, which was showcased throughout her songs,“Trata” and “Thalassaki Mou.” Both were enthralling and calming with the latter calling on crowd participation.
Last, but definitely not least was Yacouba Sissoko who showcased music from his native Mali. The West African country is known for its rhythmic sounds derived from stringed instruments like the guitar, ngoni and kora. The kora was highlighted on Yacouba’s renditions of “Kelefab” and “Wawanko,” which got people grooving and feet tapping in the theater.
Since New York City is the epicenter of blended cultures and a melting pot for music, the iconic Carnegie Hall was the perfect venue to feature the talented, multicultural artists.
Parents looking to introduce children to rich music from different cultures, Carnegie Hall’s family concerts are a sure bet. They provide outstanding entertainment that keeps kids’ attention while providing enriching education about global music genres. Who knows? The show just might inspire the next great in music!
Click here to learn more about Carnegie Hall performances.
Have you ever attended one of Carnegie Hall’s family concerts? Do your kids play any musical instruments?
