BBC Concert Orchestra: Raga Mela

Dates: 6.5.2009. A project that aims to explore raga styles with the BBC concert orchestra, in a way that appeals to both western and eastern listeners alike, while maintaining the integrity of the raga itself and without sacrificing the roots of either Indian improvisation or western classical music. Indian ragas are beautiful and moving, beguiling to the ear and exciting to the eye. Each raga scale relates to a particular mood and time of day. Recitals are always performed by virtuosos, and because of the improvisational and soloistic style of the musicians, every performance is unique and cannot be repeated. The musical focus is on long, lyrical melodies, ornamented with breathtaking improvisational flurries and complex rhythms created by the tabla-player. Raga compositions are often passed down from generation to generation, family to family. The project combines this rich and ancient tradition with the western orchestra, creating a brand new, dynamic palette of sounds.

For more information check here
http://london.ukfunlife.com/index.php?boardname=evento&numevento=4873360