This double CD set was originally released in honor of Pandit Pran Nath’s 84th birthday, November 3, 2002, and is the first recording of his singing on the Just Dreams label. CD 1 features a 1971 recording of a live performance of Raga Malkauns that was one of his most intense and powerful, although technically not so well recorded. CD 2 presents a 1976 studio performance of the same raga and the same compositions that is both well recorded and extremely masterful. Together in one release, the two performances provide a rare opportunity to study, compare and enjoy the range and expressiveness of this great raga and the breadth of musicianship evidenced by the renderings of Pandit Pran Nath.
*included with purchase is a PDF of the original liner notes*
credits
released June 17, 2021
Pandit Pran Nath
Midnight
“4 VII 71 San Francisco” Raga Malkauns (0:48:00)
“21 VIII 76 NYC” Raga Malkauns (1:02:00)
Music composed by Pandit Pran Nath
Music published by the Pandit Pran Nath Musical Composition Trust
“4 VII 71 San Francisco” Raga Malkauns
Pandit Pran Nath, voice
Terry Riley, tabla
Ann Riley, tambura
Simone Forti, tambura
Recorded for broadcast by KQED, San Francisco
Gary Todd, Mastering
Tim Barnes, Additional Production
“21 VIII 76 NYC” Raga Malkauns
Pandit Pran Nath, voice
K. Paramjyoti, tabla
La Monte Young, tambura
Marian Zazeela, tambura
Recorded by Tom Duffy
Bob Bielecki, Sound Engineer
Kevin Reilly, Mastering
Produced by Just Dreams, Inc.
with support from MELA Foundation, Inc.
Artistic Direction La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela
Jung Hee Choi, Digital Release Producer
Micah Feinberg, Digital Release Production Assistant
"Malkauns is considered to be one of the six major ragas in the system of North Indian classical music. According to Pandit Pran Nath, the mood of Raga Malkauns is that of a yogi at night in deep meditation. Imagine Lord Shiva seated on his tiger skin high in the Himalayas, eyes closed, in lotus posture. The powers of darkness send the Asuras (evil spirits) to tempt him, to lure him from his meditation. The mood of the raga is extraordinarily expansive. It must include such elements as: the yogi’s initial meditation; the beguiling enticements of the Asuras; the yogi’s eventual conquering and destruction of the Asuras; and his return to all encompassing meditation."
Pandit Pran Nath's first appearance in the West in 1970 essentially introduced the vocal tradition of Hindustani classical
music to the U.S. Pran Nath's majestic expositions of the slow alap sections of ragas combined with his emphasis on perfect intonation and the clear evocation of mood have had a profound impact on Western contemporary composers and performers....more
supported by 26 fans who also own “Midnight, Raga Malkauns”
It is possibly the most important composition of the latter half of the 20th Century and had an enormous effect on both classical and popular music. La Monte is the inventor of Minimalism. DAVID PEPPERELL
supported by 15 fans who also own “Midnight, Raga Malkauns”
Absolutely love this recording. I listen to it at work. I listen to it in the car on the way home from work. I listen to it while falling asleep. Curtis’ cello is so amazing. Just got the vinyl in the mail from Discogs the other day! Can’t wait to play on my hi-fi system! Dave Sewall