He thinks of all the musicians in the world as being part of one beautiful family because they use common musical notes...
Using nails rather than fingertips is just one of the complications of Khan's approach to the notoriously challenging Indo-Persian instrument. Yet his performance conveyed ease and grace, not difficulty. Widely considered to be the greatest sarodist active today, Khan showed immense versatility as well as subtlety.
To read Master Sarod Player Amjad Ali Khan’s CNN TalkAsia Interview transcript please click:
"He gave each melodic phrase an individual character with an expert use of dynamics. And in the improvisations, he was creating his own original shapes. He placed important notes between beats; he used trembling-pitch ornamentation, but not too much; his phrases began mildly, became distended, and dove into silence. He played some very fast phrases but projected gently; he didn’t overwhelm you with power."
"The greatest virtuoso of the Sarod, in my opinion, the best of his generation."
'Amjad Ali Khan’s name represents the sure-fire guarantee of quality.’
"Life affirming playing. An artist at the peak of his career.."
"It was like watching an Indian classical answer to Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker crashing through their favourite Robert Johnson covers at the Cream revival earlier this month. Amjad Ali Khan may be a master of the sarod rather than the guitar,but once he had built up to the crescendo of his solo set - improvising furiously around the melody line with repeated, rapid-fire playing and then letting his equally frantic tabla player take over - it was easy to see why great Indian music can be as exciting as classic blues and rock."
“One of the 20th century’s greatest masters of the Sarod…”
“Sarod star with a talent for dignity, worshipped in his own country for his playing…”
"Frenzy of exuberant energy…"
“For Amjad the Sarod is more than an instrument. He is more than a slave and it is more than a master. It is a friend and a spiritual companion...
"this player is at the height of his inventive powers and currently unequalled"
“Amjad Ali Khan is one of the undisputed masters of the instrument (Sarod). The Sarod has deep, meaty notes but can then ascend to Himalayan heights….”
“Amjad Ali Khan, who, for many, is god-like in his dramatic powers on the Sarod, delivered his music with the emotional voltage of the blues, and a flexible instrument line that was almost vocal in its expressiveness…….”
“Sarod master shines with sparkling tones. Khan received a standing ovation before playing a note. But once playing, his mastery was obvious.”
“India’s No. 1 Sarod playing family..”
"Amjad Ali Khan is the master of the Sarod. Smaller than a sitar, it has 19 strings. Accompanied by his two sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, on similar instruments, they created a 57-string three-man symphony orchestra."
"Imagine a violin virtuoso like Itzhak Perlman also being a direct descendant of Stradivarius, and you can come close to the stature of Indian Sarod master Amjad Ali Khan. Khan is a spiritual, expressive musician, a technically brilliant and inventive player….”
“In the Art of Sarod playing echoes the human voice… Amjad Ali Khan's were the right hands to be doing these things..”
“The most successful, established and sought after musician..."
“An Artist who has surpassed his own time...."
“He is big draw whatever and wherever he performs...."
“Sarod master from India makes instrument sing..."
“Amjad Ali Khan by himself is a living legend, he is the topmost Sarod player in the world...."
“A compelling combination of heady sensuousness and deep spirituality characterizes Khan's style."
“Khan is definitely rooted in a proud tradition..."
“Amjad Ali Khan's playing here is outstanding...."
“Khan’s Performance gives a clear insight into the intellectual or emotional depths expected of India classical music...."
" In the case of a musician like Amjad Ali Khan , who has arrived at the top grade of artistry, the years to come , theoretically speaking, ought to be ones that will take him to unscaled heights, At fifty, he reigns supreme in the field of Sarod..."
“Amjad Ali Khan, One of the great names in Indian Classical music, reached a wide audience as a star of the last year's Indian prom...."
“Guru of Sarod....."
“Amjad Ali Khan is the most charismatic performer of Indian Ragas....."
“The world renowned Maestro, Amjad Ali Khan, has become synonymous with the Sarod...."
“Amjad Ali Khan casts a kind of charm on audiences, sending out ripples of excitement....."
“Amjad Ali Khan is in a class by himself, born with rhythm in his soul and fingers.....
“The wondrous Amjad…”
'Amjad Ali Khan…..a renowned Sarod player……..'
JULY
28
Bach and Raga
Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash and Jennifer Pike, Violin
JULY
27
Guitar to Sarod
Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash and Sean Shibe
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