Customer Reviews

South Indian Classical Flute

5 star:		(5)
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To hear Prof. Viswanathan is a rare treat. This is only the second commercial recording of his (the first was an LP in the Explorer Series, long out of print) and a superb one at that. The originality of the rendering, the style of blowing, and the subtlety of the notes in the "gamakas" are vintage Viswanathan. His playing of the flute is close to vocalization, and sure enough, as those who have attended his concerts hope, he rewards the listeners with a full vocal piece in Ragamalika in this album. This is a celebration of Karnatic music itself from an eminent musician and musicologist.

This is a gorgeous record and a valuable document. It is T. Viswanathan's first commercial recording in more than 20 years. Viswanathan's playing and singing weave lyricism, technical control and erudition into an organic, seamless whole. The repertoire and recording are first-rate, as are the accompanying musicians. If you do not know this music, you will find the sheer sound achingly beautiful. If you do know the music, you know that Viswanathan represents an august and profound musical heritage that also produced his grandmother, Vina Dhanammal and the great Balasaraswati. In either case, you will be delighted with this CD.

Excellent CD. Brilliant musician. Music does not get better than this.

If you looking forsome sounds just to pretend you are listening cartatic music this is not for you. This is the purest an highest form of carnatic music of the dhanammal tradition.
only for people who know and care about shastriya sageetham

This release, from one of the most highly regarded senior vidwans (masters)of South Indian classical music, is a welcome and valuable new addition to the catalogue. Excellent technical recording standards, something that is unfortunately not too common in this genre, are combined with superb performances and an interesting programme of selections. The high point of the album is a lovely 30 minute-plus rendition of the Subbarama Dikshitar composition Sankaracaryam in the majestic raga Shankarabharanam - the alapana (raga delineation) is particularly beautiful. This album joins the Dr. N. Ramani Nimbus CD (NI 5257) and the K.S. Gopalakrishnan Wergo CD (SM 1502-2) as the best currently available examples of South Indian classical flute.

For hard code Carnatic music listerners, this album may sound kind of stale, except for the vocal piece! If you are big time follower of Tanjore Viswanathan, I cant say much. IF you are getting intro'ed to South Indian Music, this is OK. better suggestions do exist. Good effort to bring south Indian music to the Intl. audience.