We’ve studied many musicians in Western music this year, so this week and next week I’m featuring musicians from different parts of the world. This week, we’re studying Ravi Shankar, an Indian sitar player and composer. He promoted this traditional Indian instrument around the world, including its use in Classical and Western pop music. Both his daughters became famous musicians too, including Grammy award singer/songwriter Norah Jones.
Some of his music we’re listening to:
Yehudi Menuhin (violinist)
– Ravi Shankar and Yehudi Menuhin (violinist)
– Ravi Shankar, Alla Rakha and Yehudi Menuhin Trio
Famous concerts
– Ravi Shankar at Monterey Pop (June 1967)
– Woodstock 1969 – Evening Raga
– UNICEF USA: Ravi Shankar and the Concert for Bangladesh (Madison Square Garden 1971)
Collaboration with George Harrison from Beatles
– Ravi Shankar teaches George Harrison how to play sitar 1968
– Prabhujee – Ravi Shankar & George Harrison
– Tarana 1974
– Magical Orchestra (shows combination of Western and Indian instruments, written by George Harrison based on melody by Ravi Shankar)
Collaboration with Philip Glass
– “Offering” by Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass
– Ragas in Minor Scale – Philip Glass
Recent recordings
– Tenth Decade in Concert
– 90th birthday at Sydney Opera House
– Ravi & Anoushka Shankar (father-daughter)
– Sandhya Raga by Ravi Shankar, performed by his students