Composer: Ravi Shankar, George Enescu
Performer: Yehudi Menuhin, Hephzibah Menuhin, Alla Rakha
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Warner
Catalogue: CDM5671802
Release: 1966
Size: 260 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
01. Shankar: Prabhati (Based on Raga Gunkali)
02. trad.: Raga Puriya Kalyan
03. Shankar: Swara-Kakali (Based on Raga Tilang)
Enescu: Violin Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 25 “Dans le caractère populaire roumain”
04. I. Moderato malinconico
05. II. Andante sostenuto e misterioso
06. III. Allegro con brio, ma non troppo mosso
That a Western violinist should choose to pair with the illustrious Ravi Shankar is not in itself surprising. The violin was fully absorbed (and tuned much lower) by the Indian classical music establishment as early as the 19th century, and in contemporary times produced performers such as Dr. L. Subramaniam, Lalgudi Jayaraman, and the highly experimental L. Shankar. However, aside from being a highly accomplished recording, the original West Meets East — there would be two additional Menuhin-Shankar collaborations — elevated world music to new heights. Menuhin had championed Indian music in the West for years before learning how to play it. His sensitivity to the material is demonstrated on “Sawara Kakali,” particularly during the tremendous duet that closes the track.