The man ? proficient in 50 different percussion instruments. The style ? virtuoso, compelling, sensitive and emotional. The mission ? to connect with the new generation by reviving classical music in the spirit of the 21st century.

For Israeli composer and marimba-percussion-drums soloist extraordinaire Ziv Eitan, making music is all about breaking barriers through his unique repertoire. Considered the only musician who combines classical traditional music with contemporary-electronic-computerised music, video art and lighting, Eitan is in town with his signature show Journey into Rhythm (at Rang Manch, Swabhumi, on Sunday, 7 pm).

Brought together by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in collaboration with the honorary consulate of Israel in Calcutta, the 80-minute ?classical-artistic? concert will also feature Yohanatan Niv on cello, Yohanatan Givoni on percussion and drums and David Sheli on sound. The show will be preceded by a workshop by the Israeli quartet.

?Our music has a lot of emotion and harmonic melody which the man on the street can relate to. It?s all about connecting on a plane that?s easy to understand,? says the 35-year-old Eitan. His creations are hugely influenced by major composers of the Baroque, classical and romantic periods like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms?

The classical elements are blended with contemporary electronic music like acid jazz, chill-out, ambient and club music ? house, trance, dance, also incorporating world music styles ? jazz, ethnic, Japanese and Latin.

Eitan, who will play Bach?s Ciaccona from Partita No. 2 on marimba (a giant xylophone), solo in Sunday?s set, is also excited about the piece On the Way to the Mars, which he co-composed with Zach Drori. ?It?s a complex number that is sad, crazy, optimistic and romantic at the same time. It?s a constant conversation with the elements ? the drums, marimba, frame drums, the computer??

A walk through the bustling 42nd Street in New York had inspired American composer Wayne Segal to write 42nd St Rondo, a piece created for two percussion players on authentic Latin instruments. The Israeli quartet will perform this ?minimalist? creation, besides a Ronen Shapira piece written for marimba, percussion, cello and computer.

Niv, who will do Bach?s Suite No. 1 on his cello, like Eitan, is extremely engaged by Indian classical music. They played on stage in Delhi with ?seven Indian musicians of exceptional talent and maturity? and are keen to collaborate with Indian artistes back home in Israel.

?There is a lot of interest in Indian classical music in Israel and many youngsters are travelling to India to study the sitar or the tabla. Once they pick up these instruments, they are much sought-after in the evolving musical scene in Israel,? says Niv, who is keen to add the sarengi to his arsenal.

A graduate of the Music Academy at the Tel Aviv University and the Royal Danish Music Academy in Copenhagen, Eitan feels Israel is a melting pot of cross-cultural elements, which has coloured its music.

?We have Jews from all over the world, Poland, Argentina, Spain, Puerto Rico, Chile? settling down in our country. They have all brought with them their characteristic styles and we are now undertaking a journey to understand our traditional music and language,? he observes.