Violin Soul

Revered violinist Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman is considered to be one of the 21st century's foremost Carnatic musicians. A disciple of his father, Lalgudi Gopala Iyer, Lalgudi Jayaraman began his career at the age of 12. On the CD Lalgudi Jayaraman, Violin, the master is featured performing in concert with a superb rhythm section: consummate Mridangist Vellore Ramabhadran and Tabla potentate Zakir Hussain. Lalgudi Jayaraman is also joined on this Moment Records release by two of his closest disciples: his son, Lalgudi Krishnan, and his daughter, Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi. The concert begins with Lalgudi Jayaraman freely and fluidly shaping an Alapana in Raga Mohanam. With the conclusion of this solo exploration, Lalgudi Jayaraman begins to develop a Kriti in Raga Mohanam. Set in a slow eight-beat rhythmic cycle of Adital (4+2+2) and divided into three consecutive sections — pallavi, anupallavi, and charanam — the Kriti in Raga Mohanam is unfolded with the help Lalgudi Jayaraman's children and the propulsive sounds of the percussion duo. The violin trio's syrupy melodic lines complimentary contrast with the coordinated syncopations thrown down by percussionists Vellore Ramabhadran and Zakir Hussain. Following a series of exchanges between the Lalgudi violin trio, the percussionists alternate solos that climax with a synchronous cadence called Korvai. The remaining 12 minutes on the CD are divided between two tracks: "Bhajan in Raga Pilu" and "Tillana in Raga Maduvanthi." With the devotional song "Bhajan in Raga Pilu," the quintet offers a spiritually tinted piece that quickly ascends in a five-note scale and slowly descends in nine-note scale. The concluding "Tallinn in Raga Maduvanthi" is a buoyant number that is adapted from the dance repertoire and traditionally played at the conclusion of a concert. Lalgudi Jayaraman, Violin is a smashing CD. As it presents the master South Indian violinist in concert with his two closest disciples, and two of India's most compelling percussionists, this is definitely a recording for anyone interested in broadening their understanding of the Central Asian side of the world music category.