With this release of Indian Classical Ragas, Wigmore Hall Live brings Indian classical music to listeners for the first time, with sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan. Ali Khan represents the sixth generation of sarod players in a family that has developed the instrument over several hundreds of years. He is joined on the disc of Indian classical ragas by his two sons, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan, both established players in their own right. 

Smaller than the sitar, the 19-string unfretted sarod maintains the feel of the more well-known instrument, sitting on the player’s lap and creating a distinctly Indian, yet purer and more lyrical sound. Indian classical music is often regarded as a reflection of the divine spirit, with the raga’s melody created over a melodic system of five or more notes, and with different ragas associated with different times of the day.

‘I treat every Raga like a living entity…Even though the literal meaning of a Raga is improvisation within a set framework of ascending and descending notes, I feel a Raga has to be invoked.’ Ali Khan 

'This is both an excellent performance and recording, one that can be played over and over again, revealing more on each listen' Songlines