Customer Reviews

In Concert

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really love this disc. I prefer live performance recordings generally and this recording is no exception. The first selection is contemplative and tends to show Shankar's prodigious technique. It is quite beautiful, and you can see that he is a very talented sitarist. The second piece, "Dhun in Misra Mand," is really beautiful. I believe that it is based upon a folk melody which explains the very accessible quality of this piece to a beginner at listening to sitar music. This might be my favorite piece by Shankar.

It is easy to be critical of Ravi Shankar because he popularized a classical art form. It reminds me of much the way some opera cogniscenti turn their noses up at Kiri te Kanawa, Placido Domingo, or Pavarotti (before he died). Like Shankar, they are universally popular because they are such worderful and proficient performers capable of communicating to a wide variety of listeners. Shankar is no exception. He really is as great as his reputation. It is not just hype.

Enjoy the reissues of the World Pacific recordings while they are available through Angel at such a cheap price. It is true that the recordings were of shorter pieces to try to introduce a Western audience to a foreign art form. If you listen to more recent recordings of Shankar or of so many of the other great Indian artists, you will notice a greater trend towards live performance recordings where the artists are able to "stretch out" their interpretations. Check out the live performance recordings of Nikhil Banerjee on Raga Records or on Chhanda Dhara. The CD format along with cheap accessible digital technology has made it easy to record these live performances. Enjoy!!!

One note of caution. You have to be careful in purchasing Shankar discs because Saragema (Gramophone India) continues to reissue so much of his earlier material on the same discs. I cannot tell you how many times I have purchased the same material over and over. The EMI/Angel (American EMI) which are reissues of World Pacific recordings are quite good and do not constantly repeat themselves. This recording was originally put out by World Pacific. I believe all of the World Pacific Ravi Shankar discs are available on Angel for very reasonable prices.

I have had numerous times to listen to this disc again in the last few weeks. I believe that 5 stars is really fitting. I have been listening to it on headphones and the playing and recording are both very satisfying. I have been listening to it on headphones, and you really hear everything. Try also listening to Ravi Sharkar In London. It is wonderful. It has been released twice on disc--1) Angel, and BGO (Beat Goes On). The former is less expensive and with excellent sound.

Both the tracks are nice and pleasant to hear! The second dhun in Mishra Mand is truly exceptional!