the charming Darbari (of the royal court), a famous night raga, offers us the chance to bask in the magnificent sounds he is able to wring from his instrument, light yet powerful volutes of sonic balm that from the opening notes envelop the listener in an atmosphere of dreamy serenity. The way he goes on to develop the piece's opening theme convinces us that we are in the presence of a master, a musician able to maintain a state of focused calm and composure even in the brio of his phrasing and energy of his improvisations. Delicacy and impetus, energy and refinement, sensibility and vigour are all held in perfect balance enabling Parvez to summon up the enchantments we have come to expect from Indian music.
Accompanied by Shri Anindo Chatterjee on tablas, who provides a perfect counterpoint to the unfolding of the performance, Parvez is in complete control of his material which he bends and kneads at will into breathtakingly original lyrical and rhythmic shapes.
credits
from Magnificent Melody,
released October 5, 2022
Ustad Shahid Parvez, sitar
Anindo Chatterjee, tabla
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