A R Rahman made his debut at London’s Royal Albert Hall, presenting a new orchestral work that sought to bridge musical traditions and deliver a message of unity.

The Oscar-winning composer collaborated with UK-based artistes Rushil Ranjan and Abi Sampa to create “Rangreza”, a composition blending Eastern and Western classical forms. The piece premiered during a four-concert series over the weekend.

Rahman performed alongside his Sunshine Orchestra from Chennai, which joined forces with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the concerts.

“What I was imagining with this piece was that in today’s world, can we go past our differences and go into unison,” Rahman said in a statement.

He also performed a selection of his well-known film songs, including “Jaage Hain” from “Guru” and “Khwaja Mere Khwaja” from “Jodhaa Akba”, reworked in orchestral arrangements.

“The Royal Albert Hall is a place where history and music converge, and it is an honour to share my work on such a revered stage… To stand in this legendary hall with new beginnings and timeless memories intertwined is truly humbling and inspiring,” he added.

Ranjan said the project aimed to highlight connections across musical styles. “I hope that our music takes audiences through the same journey that it has taken us, where they can see the links between disparate styles (of music),” he said.

“Rangreza” was co-commissioned by multiple international institutions, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, TO Live in Toronto, and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

The performances also featured choreography by Akram Khan, with appearances by London Voices choir under conductor Melvin Tay. Soloists Sarthak Kalyani and Janan Sathiendran contributed Indian classical elements.

James Ainscough, CEO of the Royal Albert Hall, described the concert as a cultural bridge. “In this divided world, it is a complete joy to bring people and cultures together in a spirit of friendship,” he said.

Matt Todd, the venue’s director of programming, highlighted the role of Rahman’s Sunshine Orchestra, noting its mission to provide opportunities for young Indian musicians to perform on international stages.