MUMBAI: The Symphony Orchestra of India hosted the Second Concert Season 2006-2007 at NCPA in Mumbai.

The event was held on four days that spanned 16, 18, 23, and 25 February with several renowned artists like Michael Collins, Marat Bisengaliev, Johannes Wildner, Temirzhan Yerzhanov and many more.

Commenting on the music scenario in India, music director and violinist Marat Bisengaliev said, "I think India has tremendous potential for Western Classical Music. The current following is very strong but at the moment its a small number of people which should be changed very soon".

Conductor Johannes Wildner said "By offering this immensely important platform to all kinds of cultural expression, the NCPA makes an admirable contribution to a better world. I feel very honoured to have been invited to work with the newly formed Symphony Orchestra of India, to contribute with my experience and background to a strong development of this orchestra, but to also learn from their approach and new views. I look forward to help the orchestra find its own identity and sound on the basis of the music we are going to perform together".

Clarinetist Michael Collins said, "I am delighted to be visiting and performing in India - my first ever visit to the continent. It is a tremendous privilege to be invited to work with a new orchestra, to collaborate with a conductor for the first time, to visit a region with a relatively new tradition in Classical music".

The Symphony Orchestra of India is the first fully professional symphony orchestra in the country, offering a series of concerts initially for two seasons in September and February each year.Besides playing orchestral and chamber music concerts, the orchestra will be available as a prestigious accompanying orchestra for soloists, ballets, operas, musicals, etc., and is also planning to offer its services to international musicians for recording purposes.