BENJY WERTHEIMER AND STEVE GORN: Priyagitah: The Nightingale

Benjy Wertheimer and Steve Gorn

Priyagitah: The Nightingale

© 2004 Steve Gorn and Benjy Wertheimer (677242025827)

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Transcendent Indian classical music featuring bamboo flute, esraj, tabla, and clarinet.

notes

Although Steve Gorn and Benjy Wertheimer had not yet
met, they'd been hearing about each other for nearly 20 years.
Finally,in January of 2001, Krishna Das invited them both
to Los Angeles to record on his CD, "Breath of the Heart."
During breaks in the recording schedule, they instantly began to play together. Music without words...esraj and flute weaving
the melodic contours of a raga...flute and tabla meeting in a spontaneous rhythmic dance. It was clearly the beginning of a deep and powerful musical relationship.

The bond and mutual respect grew as they toured the Northwestin 2002-03, and culminated with this recording of Indian ragas,along with an original piece for esraj and clarinet.

About The Ragas

The musical form at the heart of traditional Indian classical music, the raga or (or "rag," in modern Hindi/Urdu) has its roots in the Sanskrit "ranj," which means "to color."
It is sometimes said,"that which colors the mind is the raga." A raga defies simple definition. More than a scale, mode, tune or melody, it is a combination of elements-such as the modal structure, including the ascending and descending movement; the emphasis or avoidance of certain notes; the characteristic movements and motifs (the heart of the raga); the time of day
or season; and the moods of the raga.

These improvisational pieces were recorded live in the studio. To honor the form, they were improvised within the specific musical structure of each raga.


Rag Desh:
Traditionally played at night, Rag Desh (which translates to "country") is also
known as a rainy season raga. The primary moods expressed are devotion, romance and longing.

Rag Madhuvanti:
The word "madhu" means honey, and the sweetness of honey flows like a river through this raga. Rag Madhuvanti belongs to the group of late afternoon ragas, and was most likely created in the 1920s. The crimson colors of sunset and the coming evening give the raga an urgency and sense of longing. Unfolding slowly in "vilambit ektal" (a slow 12-beat cycle with each beat subdivided into four), this raga creates a mood that is settling, yet filled with expectation. It concludes with a faster section in teental (16 beats).

Rag Bhairavi:
Named in honor of the Goddess Bhairavi, this beloved raga embodies her qualities of devotion and compassion. The consort of Bhairav, (also portrayed as the God Shiva), Rag Bhairavi expresses feelings of romance and longing. Traditionally a morning raga, it can also be played any time of day or night. It's often the final raga in an Indian classical concert.

Priyagitah/The Nightingale:
The Sanskrit name for nightingale, "Priya" means "beloved" and "gita" is usually translated as "song." The two words together can mean both "one who sings to the Beloved"
and "song of the Beloved." This dialog between the clarinet and the esraj represents the musical flight of yearning for the One-the connection of the musician and the music.

reviews

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  • Priyagitah: The Nightingale
    author: myron garfinkle

    What a fabulous review. Two great artists, masters of percussion and wind riff off each other and bring you to another world. I play it in my yoga class and my students love it.

  • beautiful--will not disappoint you!
    author: lovemymat

    Experienced this CD during a Thai massage and fell in love with it... it never gets tiresome and is peaceful and energizing by turns. I've heard lots of music and this is powerful. Enjoy!

  • Wonderful CD
    author: Matthew Weiss

    A wonderful CD---everything that I'd hoped it would be!

  • A beautiful dance by Benjy and Steve!
    author: Alan Kirk

    After experiencing Benjy and Steve in a live performance, I knew I couldn't go wrong with this album. The two of them literally dance and swirl with each other! Highly recommended!

  • Not for ears, but for soul !
    author: Abel

    This Benjy's CD is not for ears, but for soul. I didnt hear it, but feel it. It's amazing ! No, MAGIC. Thanks a lot Benjy for this healing music. I realy feel better when I enjoy it.

  • The most beautiful music I have ever heard!
    author: Robert Carlucci

    I just wanted to acknowledge the purchase of the priyagitah CD – it is the most beautiful music I have ever heard – the combination of flute, drum and strings are just perfect and the soft journey that the artists take you on is just amazing – good work!

  • I loved it from the very first sound
    author: Gail Poretsky

    The music is very nice and relaxing.

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