Shankar, Ravi - Concerto For Sitar and Orchestra

Ravi Shankar - Concerto For Sitar and Orchestra

This album features Ravi Shankar’s first Concerto for sitar, commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra in 1970; it was the first album André Previn recorded for EMI Classics (now Warner Classics), in 1971. The work was premiered at London's Royal Festival Hall on 28 January 1971 and sets a sitar recital of four ragas (including one by Ravi Shankar’s guru Allauddin Khan, adapted for the concerto) across four movements and within the grand sweep of a full western orchestra.

“If I’ve accomplished anything,” said Ravi Shankar, “it’s that I have been able to open the door to our music in the West.” Born in Varanasi in 1920, he achieved worldwide renown as a sitar player and unprecedented influence as an ambassador for Indian classical music, revealing new possibilities to such figures as George Harrison of the Beatles, jazz saxophonist John Coltrane and composer Philip Glass. As a performer, composer, teacher and writer, Ravi Shankar is renowned throughout the world for his pioneering work in bringing Indian music to the West. Shankar has been a cultural influence in the West for more than four decades as India’s most recognized and esteemed musical ambassador.

Tracklisting:

1. I. Rāga Khamāj
   
2. Chhed    
   
3. Aochār Alap    
   
4. Jor    
   
5. Gat And Tān In Teentāl  
   
6. II. Rāga Sindhi Bhairavi 
   
7. Chhed And Chalan    
   
8. Gand And Tān In Dadra  
   
9. Gat And Tān In Kahariva   
   
10. III. Rāga Adanā 
    
11. Chhed    
    
12. Drut Gat, Tān And Jhālā In Ektal    
    
13. IV. Rāga Mānj Khamāj
    
14. Chhed And Chalan    
    
15. Gat And Tān In Chānchar  
    
16. Drut Gat, Tān Adn Jhālā In Teentāl