Masters of Indian Classical Music Volume II

This double–CD set follows on from an earlier compilation from ARC featuring more or less the same group of musicians (with the notable exception of Amjad Ali Khan). However, that is by no means a bad thing as the performances here are of the highest order though, as before, the music is only that of the North Indian, or Hindustani, tradition. This first disc starts with a performance of ‘Raga Durga', the pentatonic open sound of which makes a perfect fit for the mellifluous playing of Hariprasad Chaurasia on the bansuri (North Indian flute). The alap (unmetered introduction) here is a particularly good introduction to his style. This is followed by a light dhun, a composition based on folk music, played with customary ease by Ravi Shankar on sitar. However, the highlight of the first disc is the ‘Raga Marva’ played by Ram Narayan on sarangi (a bowed string instrument). Not only does the raga complement the voice–like sound of the instrument extremely well but the playing is exceptional. As is the first track of the second disc, on which the great shehnai (oboe) player Bismillah Khan performs ‘Raga Shivranjani’. The selection concludes with a tabla solo in the 12–beat tala (rhythm cycle) known as ektal and, more unusually for the North, N Rajam playing ‘Raga Jhinjhoti’ on the violin, an instrument more usually associated with South Indian, or Karnatic, music. The only slight quibble I have is that it would have been nice to have known the names of the accompanying musicians, but with well over two hours of excellent music making, this album is quite a bargain.