Beyond(1991)

This composition is based on Raga Vasatapriya.  A creation of Dr. L. Subramaniam, this Raga is developed from the Raga Vasantha which is derieved from Suryakantam, which is the 17^th Melakarta.  Melakartas are the 72 parent scales on which the Carnatic system of music is based.

This work has been written taking the best and most comparable elements from both Indian Classical and Western music.  The instruments used are electric violin, Indian percussion and Western ensemble (strings, percussion and woodwinds).

The piece starts with solo electric violin passages using microtonal tonalities and Indian ornamentation (gamakas) leading into melodic themes played by Western instruments using implied harmony.  There are also trade-offs between the soloist and different instruments in the ensemble.  The piece ends with similar improvisational-like passages which are repeated from the opening statement.  There are some typical Indian rhythmic concepts incorporated into the composition.

This piece is dedicated to the composer’s father and Guru, Professor V. Lakshminarayana.
 

back