Present Music Celebrates Indian Holi Festival with 'Rituals, Spells & Charms'

The Milwaukee ensemble performed a live soundtrack to film the vibrant Holi celebration.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:54am

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Present Music, a Milwaukee-based ensemble, performed a program titled 'Rituals, Spells, and Charms' that featured a live soundtrack to the film 'Radhe Radhe: Rites of Holi' by composer Vijay Iyer. The film captures the eight-day Holi festivities in Mathura, India, and the music provided a dynamic accompaniment, moving from rural to urban settings and capturing the energy and sensuality of the celebrations.

Why it matters

The performance highlighted the cultural exchange between Milwaukee's classical music scene and the vibrant traditions of the Holi festival in India. It showcased Present Music's commitment to exploring diverse musical influences and providing audiences with unique and immersive experiences.

The details

The program was divided into two parts, 'Adoration' and 'Transcendence,' with the ensemble of over a dozen musicians accompanying the film's imagery using a variety of instruments including woodwinds, brass, percussion, keyboards, and strings. The music ebbed and flowed, building to crescendos that mirrored the energy of the on-screen festivities, including scenes of revelers throwing colored powder and a sensuous pyre scene.

  • The performance took place on Friday night at the Jan Serr Studio in Milwaukee.
  • The program 'Rituals, Spells, and Charms' was the first of two evenings presented by Present Music.

The players

Present Music

A Milwaukee-based ensemble known for exploring diverse musical influences and providing unique and immersive experiences for audiences.

David Bloom

The conductor who led Present Music's performance of 'Rituals, Spells, and Charms.'

Vijay Iyer

The pianist and composer who wrote the music for 'Radhe Radhe: Rites of Holi,' the film that was the centerpiece of Present Music's program.

Prashant Bhargava

The filmmaker who directed 'Radhe Radhe: Rites of Holi,' capturing the vibrant Holi festivities in Mathura, India.

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What they’re saying

“The featured piece Radhe Radhe: Rites of Holi, was a homage to Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring.”

— Blaine Schultz, Author

What’s next

Present Music will perform the 'Rituals, Spells, and Charms' program again on Saturday night at the Jan Serr Studio.

The takeaway

Present Music's performance of 'Rituals, Spells, and Charms' showcased the ensemble's ability to bring diverse cultural traditions to life through innovative musical collaborations, providing Milwaukee audiences with a unique and immersive experience.