Two Worlds of Modal Music

Program: #04-19   Air Date: May 03, 2004

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NOTE: The fortunate meeting between American Ken Zuckerman and medieval-specialist Dominique Vellard at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis has allowed this recording, one of the most incisive cross-cultural efforts ever.

 The North Indian school achieved an apogee under the Moghul emperor Akbar (1556-1605), where the ancient Hindu traditions were informed by contact with Islam. The complex and extended settings from this time have been foreshortened for this recording
to maintain balance with the medieval material.

Ken Zuckerman is fluent in the repertoire both of the medieval lute and the Indian sarod; aside from Vellard's vocals, two other Indian musicians joined the ensemble: Swapan Chaudhuri, tabla and Keyvan Chemirami, zarb.

The recording is on Harmonia Mundi, and is CD HMC 905261.

Mode in D (Dorian)
--Anon. (12th c.): Natali Regis gloria (conductus).
--KEN ZUCKERMAN: Composition & improvisation in Dorian Mode.
--Anon.(chant): Universi qui te expectant (gradual).
--trad. Indian: Raga Bhimpalashri.

Mode in C
--trad. Indian: Raga Pahari.
--Anon. (chant): Alleluia, Angelus Domini.
--trad. Indian: Raga Manj Khammaj.
--JEHAN de LECUREL (?mid 13th c.-1304): Bontes, sens, valours et pris.

Mode in F (Lydian)
--trad. indian: Raga Bihag.
--Anon.: Istampita "Principio di virtu."
--JEHAN de LESCUREL: Douce amour, confortez moi (virelai).

Mode in E (Phyrigian)
--Anon. Sephardic: Ven querida.
--KEN ZUCKERMAN: Composition & improvisation in Phrygian Mode.
--HILDEGARD von BINGEN (1098-1179): O splendissima gemma.
--trad. Indian: Raga Bhairavi.

Composer Info

KEN ZUCKERMAN, HILDEGARD von BINGEN (1098-1179), JEHAN de LECUREL (?mid 13th c.-1304),

CD Info

CD HMC 905261

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