Ilaiyaraaja - Wings
SKU
ADARER019
I was bewildered after listening. Ilaiyarajja belongs to the 21st century, if not beyond.-Zubin Mehta. Well, to me, this just sounds like typical Indian 'filmi' music and nothing more. But I seem to be in the minority here. "The name Raaja is not yet a household world in the west, but the 61 year-old East Indian composer, multi-instrumentalist, and group leader is ever gaining popularity, especially in Europe. A life-long harmonium, piano and classical guitar player from the Tamil district, Raaja has composed more than 4000 songs, scored the music for upwards of 800 Indian movies, and was the first Asian to to compose a symphony commissioned in the West (his Symphony No. 1, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London). He holds a doctorate in music, and has won many noteworthy musical awards in both India and the United States. Wings is a fascinating blend of Eastern and Western styles which, while seemingly adhering to a cirriculum of modern classical ethics, transgresses the idom by staying true to the mystical aspects of Eastern music. The implementation of Indian instruments in a modern context makes for a rich pallete of tone colors, creating a wide range of expressive possibilities. This is an excellent combination of stylings - one which will both please those already familiar with the tonalities and sublime aspects of Eastern music, and pleasantly surprise the less initiated. [Angelica]