Excerpted from The Gazette Vol. 36, No. 25 (Week of June 20 through 26)

by Cornelia Cotton

“Also at the library, a very special treat: the immensely gifted young flautist Rama Kumaran in a program that showed off his enormous versatility. Rama won the National Flute Association’s Young Artist Competition — the youngest winner ever. After demanding pieces by Debussy, Poulenc, Faure, and the thrilling “Carmen Fantasy” by Francois Borne, he tackled “Voice” by Toru Takemitsu, the late, great Japanese modern master. This fantastic composition, testing the limits of the flute’s possibilities, was influenced by John Cage, the American avant-garde musician. It incorporates spoken words, shouts, and what sounds like the instrument being knocked against the teeth of the performer. He was accompanied by another prodigy — Jack Coen, who had been music director and organist at the Holy Name for several years. He is much missed. It was a treat to have him back for this rare recital.”