Indian Classical Masters: Three Ragas for Solo Violin

by Adam GreenbergAn exposition of three South Indian ragas performed on the violin (in Indian style of course) by the great Lakshminarayana Subramaniam. "Raga Sarasvatipriya" is basically "Raga Sarasvati," but with some slight modifications. Similarly, "Raga Vasantapriya" is essentially "Raga Vasanta." The main factor to note in the performance of such works is the incredible virtuosity displayed by Subramaniam on his instrument. The ways in which he slides from note to note are particular to the South Indian violin styles in some ways, and add a huge factor to the music. On top of this, he is the first and/or major player of the violin to go electric with it (something of the Bob Dylan of Karnatic instrumental classical music), though it is somewhat difficult to tell whether or not that is having much of an effect on this recording. As with nearly any recording of Indian music, the length is the one thing that newcomers really have to watch out for -- songs are regularly longer than 20 minutes each. Still, this album may not be such a bad introduction to the styles of playing common to the subcontinent's classical genres.