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Indian Classical Music on the Piano

by Utsav Lal

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about

This record is really special for me. I recorded most of it towards the end of my Masters Program in Contemporary Improvisation at New England Conservatory of Music. Its been a period of taking everything I thought I knew into pieces, re-evaluating every decision I made and slowly put back everything that survived.


The biggest grounding force for me in my musical journey is my guru Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar and the incredible Dhrupad tradition which I am obsessed with. Deciding to play this music on the piano is like a
asymptote-the closer you get, the further away you realise you are! Every record is like a postcard on fulfilling your ultimate musical intentions and this one is no exception. My attempt is to explore the expressive potential of the piano in playing this music.


The ragas and pieces I chose for this record were pivotal landmarks in
my process of understanding why I make music. The track “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram”, in particular, is acomposition that I have related to in many different ways over the years. This year it has a very intense and personal significance for me and I felt that I had to include it. I am incredibly indebted to all my teachers, peers,
heroes and family for everything. This record is dedicated to my nana Suresh Johri and nani Urmila Johri.

Huge thanks to the incredible Nitin Mitta for playing some incredible tabla on this record with me and sharing his unique and creative ideas.

credits

released November 5, 2018

Tracks 1,2 and 5 recorded at the New England Conservatory, MA, USA (February 2018) by Jeremy Sama
Tracks 3,4 recorded at Stonesoup Studios, Ohio, USA (July 2018) by Eric Sills
All tracks mixed and mastered by Eric Sills
Photo Credit: Burkhard Meißner

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Utsav Lal New York, New York

Indian pianist/composer Utsav Lal is recognised as the rarest of pianists with his innovative handling of Indian Classical Music on a Western instrument. Lal has an impressive career presenting his ground-breaking work on the piano at leading world venues. Lal's music has gathered international acclaim for its sincerity, depth and powerful intensity. ... more

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