Release Date: 22 July 2013
Label: Navras Records
Packaging Type: Fat Double (a 2.5cm thick jewel case, fits several CDs)
No of Units: 3
Barcode: 760452025227
Genres: World Music India & Pakistan
Description
The penultimate concert by Vilayat Khan, probably the greatest sitar virtuoso of all time, recorded at London's Royal Festival Hall in 2002. A legend both in life and now in death, Vilayat Khan continues to elicit superlatives, summed up by the title of Emperor of Sitar bestowed on him by the Indian Classical Artists Association.
In this extended performance just one raga is explored and it is one of the best-loved in the hundreds of ancient ragas still being performed. Malkauns is not only one of the grandest, most respected and beloved of all ragas but is often thought to have supernatural powers. During the course of its long history it has encompassed contrasting moods, from heroism to sensual love. Above all it is serious and dignified. Add to that the fact that it is usually performed around midnight (somewhat earlier in this performance) and so much of its special mystique comes across. Here Khan performs with the accomplished and most sought after tabla player, Swapan Chaudhuri.
This double album is also presented with a bonus, classical solo debut release of his son, Hidayat Khan. Titled 'Soul to Soul', it presents a recording of Raga Sanjh Saravali - a creation of Vilayat Khan.
Personnel: Ustad Vilayat Khan (sitar), Swapan Chaudhuri (tabla), Disc 3: Hidayat Khan (sitar), Enayat Hossein (tabla)
Tracklisting
Pandit Jasraj
Hema & Ashit Desai
Shubha Mudgal
Suresh Talwalkar
Bhimsen Joshi
C.R. Vyas
Vilayat Khan
Nikhil Banerjee
Vilayat Khan
Vilayat Khan
Vilayat Khan
Vilayat Khan
Vilayat Khan
Vilayat Khan
Vilayat Khan
