Yehudi Menuhin with Ravi Shankar & Hephzibah Menuhin – West Meets East (1966/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 48:37 minutes | 916 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Warner Classics
As a musician, as a man of ideals, and as a true world citizen, Yehudi Menuhin made an extraordinary mark on his era. The Menuhin Century commemorates the 100th anniversary of his birth on 22 April 1916.
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 as early as the 19th century, and in contemporary times produced performers such as Dr. L. Subramaniam, Lalgudi Jayaraman, and the highly experimental L. Shankar. However, aside from being a highly accomplished recording, the original West Meets East – there would be two additional Menuhin-Shankar collaborations – 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 “Sawara Kakali,” particularly during the tremendous duet that closes the track.
Tracklist:
1. Yehudi Menuhin – Prabhati (based on Raga Gunkali) (04:10)
2. Yehudi Menuhin – Raga Puriya Kalyan (11:46)
3. Yehudi Menuhin – Swara-Kakali (based on Raga Tilang) (08:50)
4. Yehudi Menuhin – Violin Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 25, „Dans le caractère populaire roumain”: I. Moderato malinconico (08:22)
5. Yehudi Menuhin – Violin Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 25, „Dans le caractère populaire roumain”: II. Andante sostenuto e misterioso (08:19)
6. Yehudi Menuhin – Violin Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 25, „Dans le caractère populaire roumain”: III. Allegro con brio, ma non troppo mosso (07:07)
Personnel:
Yehudi Menuhin – violin
Ravi Shankar – sitar, musical arrangements
Alla Rakha – tabla
Hephzibah Menuhin – piano
Prodyot Sen – tambura
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