Customer Reviews
A perfect introductory CD - By: Andrew W, 28 Jun 2009 
When you first approach a genre like Hindustani Classical Music, it can be very daunting for the novice to make a successful purchase. If you buy something, a performance you dislike it will likely mar your understanding & appreciation of the entire genre or Artiste, themself. Sadly, the truth is, of course, that it could simply be THAT performance or that recording which is not to your taste, & not the entire genre. One usual way around this problem is to purchase a compilation. However, whilst compilations might workin pop & rockin Raga music they usually do not.
The simple reason being that it is the entire performance one should listen to, the entire progression of the Raga from its originsin Alap through its growth into Jor & finally its culminationin Jhala. To cut out a third or an even smaller portion is like picking out a few pages of sentences from a great work of Literature & putting itin a collection of literary works as being representant, something which you simply wouldn't do.
Having stated the above, however, I have to say that this CD is absolutely first-rate & very surprising for three reasons. Firstly the editor (Iain Scott) CLEARLY knows his stuff, he has clearly & consciously selected excellent tracks. Secondly, he has actually cheated a little, insofar as he has included numerous tracks of one previous recording, therefore, every track is not from a different source. And finally, because Scott had the intelligence to make this a two CD production, he could easily separate the chosen works into 'contemporary' & 'classical' thereby being able to include much shorter modern pieces on the first CD.
This CD works for a number of reasons. Firstly, although it goes without saying, the Artist is a TRUE Master of his chosen art-form (a rare achievementin this day & age of 'guitar heroes') & these CDs capture a wide range of his extensive repertoire. Secondly, the recording quality is absolutely superb. Next it make a potentially daunting genre very accessible for the as yet uninitiated. Finally, even for those who know Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia's work, this collection should still contain something you have yet to hear.
The only downside is that the liner-notes are VERY sparse & very uninformative, which seems the antithesis of what should be the case, given the argument already presented, pertaining to aiming to attract the uninitiated. The liner-notes are all rather badly written & even more poorly edited & quite uninformative, which is a great shame.
To conclude, this is a superb collection of works by the foremost leading exponent of the Bansuri, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia & whatever you are looking to hear, you will probably find on this diverse & joyous collection. Highly recommended.
"Maestro of the Indian Flute (2007) ... Hariprasad Chaurasia ... Times Square Records" - By: J. Lovins, 03 Nov 2007 Times Square Records presents "MAESTRO OF THE INDIAN FLUTE" - featuring Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia (b. Allahabad, July 1, 1938) is known internationally as a player of the bansuri, the North Indian bamboo flute --- Chaurasia is a classicist who has made a conscious effort to reach out & expand the audience for classical music --- He has collaborated with several western musicians, including John McLaughlin & Jan Gabarek, & has also composed music for a number of Indian films --- He has performed throughout the world winning acclaim from varied audiences & fellow musicians including Yehudi Menuhin & Jean Pierre Rampal --- He serves as the Artistic Director of the World Music Department at the Rotterdam Music Conservatoryin the Netherlands.
MAESTRO OF THE INDIAN FLUTE (2007) - Listing of Tracks:
Disc 1
1 Raga Pahadi / Manikrao Popatkar 6:48
2 Anand: Based on Raga Bhairavi 8:22
3 Exuberance: Based on Raga Shivranjani / Jayantilal Gosher 17:52
4 Raga Jhinjhoti / Shivkumar Sharma 21:06
5 Dhun Sindhi Bhairavin / Zakir Hussain 11:04
Disc 2
1 Raga Bageshwariin Ektaal 10:49
2 Raga Mishra Piluin Addha Taal 9:37
3 Raga Gujri Todi, Vilambitin Matta Taal, Drutin Tritaal 20:46
4 Raga Latangi, Vilambitin Ektaal, Madhyalayain Teentaal 29:46
5 Dhun 'Vaishnava Jan to Tene Kahiye' 5:39
The following list the credits to this cohesive instrumental album of Indian Flute
Performance Credits
Hariprasad Chaurasia ... Primary Artist, Flute
Shivkumar Sharma ... Santoor
Zakir Hussain ... Tabla
Manikrao Popatkar ... Tabla
Vijay Ghate ... Tabla
Jayantilal Gosher ... Guitar
Footnote,in Chaurasia's own words
"In my past there is a Krishna --- In my dreams I dream of recreating a huge college of flautists, a veritable Vrindabanin which students will arrive to learn & study with satchels full of flutes, livein mud huts, eat at a common langar --- A modern Vrindaban from which a thousand flutes will ring out everyday. For what else is there? --- When my breath is gone & I cannot play anymore what do I leave behind? --- Some dedicated students! When you leave nothing behind, you cry at the point of death, but I still dream, I dare to dream that through my playing & through my students my flute will be left behind as the memory of Krishna".
Hats off to Times Square Records --- strongly recommend this CD to all music lovers & others who need to hear some great music --- Hariprasad Chaurasia please stand up & take a bow for this well deserved rare jewel you've given us --- this is a keeper!
Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Times Square Records ~ (10/09/2007)
