Biography
That a Western violinist should choose to pair with the illustrious Ravi Shankar is not in itself surprising. The violin was fully absorbed (and tuned much lower) by the Indian classical music establishment by the 19th century, and more recently …. However, aside from being a highly accomplished set of recordings, the "West Meets East" series (three Menuhin-Shankar collaborations that were later distilled into this one) elevated world music to new heights.
Menuhin had championed Indian music in the West for years before learning how to play it. His sensitivity to the material is demonstrated on "Swara Kakali," particularly during the tremendous duet that closes the track. On the evening raga, "Raga Piloo," Menuhin and Shankar glide in and out of each other's styles in a performance that is alternately Indian and Russian/Jewish, bound by their obvious empathy.
Recorded in England, The United States and France in 1966, 1967 and 1976. Includes liner notes by Ravi Shankar and Yehudi Menhuin.
Personnel: Ravi Shankar (sitar); Yehudi Menuhin (violin); Prodyot Sen, Kamala Chakravarti, Nodu Mullick (tanpura); Alla Rakha (tabla)
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