Caprice in Raga Kharaharapriya (2021)

for solo violin

Premiered online on Thursday 15th April 2021 by Marc Danel.

This piece takes inspiration from Carnatic and Western Classical music traditions. Combined in this piece are the virtuosic and free, Caprice form, the Western violin posture and performance style, extended string techniques, exploration of Raga and improvisation. The two traditions are used in conjunction with one another to achieve a cross-cultural sound-world. For example, the resonance created with use of sul ponticello playing pays tribute to the tanpura (drone) instrument found commonly across South Asian performances. Finger-nail pizzicato coupled with heavy vibrato and glissandi allude to the sitar and veena from the North and South Indian Classical repertoire.