USTAD ALI AHMED HUSSAIN KHAN & PARTY
Serenity

Fy 8146

885016814625
Felmay Records
India

 

Our collection dedicated to classic Indian music can now boast a new pearl of extremely high quality music. A double reed wind instrument, close to oboe family, called shehnai dominates the notes of this album entitled Serenity. Consisting of a wooden stick (on which nine holes are drilled, some of which can be closed with wax for the performance of special raga) and a metal bell. Although original of Northern India shehnai can be found also in Southern part of the country, where it is called nadhaswaram and presents slightly different features (larger dimensions). Wherever played is known to be “luck charm” instrument, therefore often used during important ceremonies and weddings. In order to better uphold the longest and quickest raga passages, it is not unusual that the performer uses a circular breathing technique. When we think of a shehnai maestro we cannot miss out the greatest Bismillah Khan, a real genius, passed away in 2006 aged 90. Those who know and enjoy the art will certainly appreciate the performances in Serenity by USTAD ALI AHMAD HUSSAIN KHAN.

Born in Kolkata in 1939 member of multi awarded musician family, his talent is revealed here in this album as he shows us to be the best performer of this instrument . Not only is ALI AHMAD HUSSAIN KHAN perfectly familiar with the tradition of an instrument that has changed its popular and folkloric origins into classical art through time, but he has also been able to add new spur in the repertoire, by using shehnai also in extremely complex and atypical ragas. In Serenity the first track (Raga Jhinjhoti) is marked by the enveloping warmth led by melody, winding out with mounting waves. The second track Raga Madhumad-Sarang, is not among the most renowned raga, but possesses a entrancing movement played on fast and essential paces, that captivate the ear right from the start. A very popular raga, celebrated for its blend of spirituality and joy closes the album: Mishra Bhairavi. Together with the leading man is a group of musicians composed by Ahmed Abbas Khan and Hassan Haider Khan (shehnai of “bordone”), Pandit Subhen Chatterjee and Pandit Sandip Banerjee (dukkar, tabla), Mohammad Ali (sharmandal), Ahmad Ali and Debal Mukherjee (tampura), Kyasar Hussain Rizvi (swarpeti).