Listen with Liv! This is where I share what I have been listening to recently.
I feel very fortunate when I am able to go to live performances of Indian classical music, here in the UK. Such a privilege then, to hear sarod virtuoso Debasmita Bhattacharya performing with tabla maestro Shahbaz Hussain at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, recently. Performing without amplification, the sounds of the sarod and tabla sang clearly in the resonant acoustic of this magnificent stone building.
From Debasmita’s exquisite opening solos to Shahbaz’s melodic and virtuoso tabla playing, the pair complemented one another with their superb musical skills, synchronicity and balanced interplay.
Here’s a clip of Debasmita playing a slow improvised introduction (alap) which gradually introduces the melodic shape and mood of the rag. Then, a more rhythmic section (jor) increasing in speed and virtuosity. The rag here is Bhimpalasi – a pentatonic rag for early afternoon.
Film of Debasmita Bhattacharya performing with Shahbaz Hussain is also available by subscribing to Darbar You Tube channel.
https://www.shahbazhussaintabla.com
If you are in London this month, the Darbar Festival of Indian Classical Arts is on from 22 – 29 October 2023 at the Barbican – an immersive and exciting event if you are interested in Indian classical music and culture.
Liv's Music World 