|
|
“RAGA SAGA” BLENDS “EAST
AND WEST”
Joseph Aranha
Ravi Shanker the legendary music maestro and composer of international
fame really outdid himself this time. The ground breaking 12
part web video series documents the unique rehearsal process
of Shanker’s “Third Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra”.
Thirty four musicians of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra met with
Sitar Virtuoso Anoushka Shankar (Shanker’s daughter) for
twelve days and the complete practice sessions and performances
were captured on film by noted film makers Chris and Alex Browne,
who gave life to this collaboration by bringing to the forefront
the skill, artistry and the inherent drama that are all part
of the unique Orpheus rehearsal process. They have also documented
behind the scenes activities so that viewers have an inside
look at what it takes to create and refine a finished product.
This new series is the first of its kind to document a major
classical orchestra from first reading to the public performances.
The combination pieces of music were quite sensational and Ravi
Shanker and Anoushka’s incorporation of western instruments
into the Indian idiom was quite convincing, and as could be
expected always interesting. Anoushka’s sitar at times
took on a more haunting tone against the other instruments like
the piano, pizzicato cello, the tambourine etc. At times it
was very lilting and at other times fast paced. The sitar with
its own unique sounds made an impact on the audience and at
the end of her part of the program gave her a standing ovations.
The Carnegie Hall function was the final episode of the ground
breaking 12 part web series of Orpheus Raga. The Orpheus Chamber
Orchestra commissioned Ravi Shanker to compose the Third Concerto
for the sitar and orchestra. Shanker, a legendary sitarist and
composer is India’s most esteemed musical ambassador and
a singular phenomenon in the classical music worlds of both
the East and West. As a performer, composer, teacher and writer
he has done more for Indian music than any other musician. Well
known for his pioneering work in bringing Indian music to the
west Ravi Shanker has always lived ahead of his time. He stresses
that this piece amalgamates many folk elements of India’s
rich musical heritage within the structure of a common western
song format, the concerto.
Anoushka, Ravi Shanker’s daughter who has been groomed
by her father to follow in his footsteps has been hailed by
Billboard as an “exceptional” artist and by BBC
Music Magazine as “important a pioneer as her father”.
This young 27 year old woman plays a pivotal role in the Saga,
introducing complex patterns to the orchestra members.
And what makes this performance even more memorable is that
in the end they were able to perform together - all without
a conductor, for which this orchestra is famous for. Starting
to play the sitar at age eight and after a stint in acting Anoushka
returned to the recording studio with the release of her fourth
and most ambitious album - ‘Rise’, which she composed,
produced and arranged. This well received album received rave
reviews throughout the world and also earned Anoushka a Grammy
nomination in 2006. But as Anoushka says “playing my father’s
music is always a meaningful experience on so many levels. My
father writes music that is so intertwined with our ancient
Indian classical music style that I really feel connected to
our culture when I perform it.”
The Grammy award winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has invigorated
international audiences and critics alike with its superior
artistry, energy and distinctive approach to music-making. This
orchestra is committed to illuminating both classical orchestral
repertoire and new works by contemporary composers. Their performing
and recording legacy has spanned 36 years and they are even
more unique in the sense that they are a self governing body
who share and rotate leadership for every work.
For those who missed out this series of very memorable performances,
the 12 parts series can be viewed on OrpheusRAGA.com. |
| Next News>> |
|
|
|
