The Official Community Of Nitin Sawhney

Hi all,

 My first exposure to Nitin's music was at Friday Night's Prom, and I'm hooked. 

 It was a great evening and I was impressed by all the performances, they were really diverse, moving & entertaining.  The only thing we couldn't hear were the Zero Degrees narratives; but that was more the fault of the Royal Albert Hall's acoustics than the performers.

PP
 

I'm really glad you liked it prashantp76.  Hopefully a venue this size and the tie in on Radio 3 will bring Nitin's work to a much wider audience - recognition is long overdue. Although I am disappointed it was not televised.  I don't suppose the BBC would consider releasing it as a dvd.

It's the 5th time that I have seen Nitin perform and I was incredibly impressed too.  I was surprised how muted a large orchestra can sound - we were sitting behind and above them so we could see how many were playing during the various numbers. Friends who listened to the concert on the radio didn't realise there was a huge orchestra there.  The collaboration with Imogen Heap was also really uplifting - I notice she was in her "fairy incarnation" rather than the "burlesque" one.  The transition between songs was seamless, and the gradual move from relatively quieter songs in the first half to some more up tempo numbers in the second half was really good.  Nitin's flamenco guitar goes from strength to strength.  The only slight disappointments for me (and this is a personal observation, not a criticism), was that a couple of songs lost their intimacy on the larger stage, I was thinking of "Journey", from the Philtre album.  When listening to that song, I always feel as if I am reading Nitin's diary.  Hope from the Migration Album is also a song I feel works in a smaller setting - I play that album in my hall/landing because of the slightly echoey acoustics. But different songs work better in different venue anyway. I loved the version of Prophecy - more like the acoustic versions on the Prophecy DVD, and Akram' Khan's dancing too.  It would be more accurate to say that he flows rather than moves.

 I also noticed that Nitin's piano playing was more muted on a couple of tracks - including Breathing Light.  I wondered whether that was because he wanted to give a bit more prominence to the orchestra.

Have you bought any of Nitin's albums yet, Prashantp76?

Anyone else got any comments or personal observations they would like to add?

 

Rosemary

---

"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness" Confucius

Hi Rosemary,

Already bought Philtre off iTunes, very good.

I also thought he was such a generous performer; he showed such humility in the presence of his ensemble - many would have tried to make themselves the centre of attention.

For those that didn't attend, go to the BBC website and you can listen to a replay.

Prashant

 

  

 

What you wrote was moving Rosemary.  Glad you enjoyed also Prashant. Sounds like it was inspiring, like I really missed out.,,.. I had a family commitment which was cancelled at the last minute so I thought about queuing for tickets.. then my commitment was re-instated. I love the Albert Hall also. My brother had his first graduation there and I've seen a couple of things on there also. Hope you play there again sometime. My only consolation is that I could dance a little while listening.

I just managed to listen on radio 3 and it sounds awesome. It must have taken a lot of dedicated work.  Lots of the classics but changed a little, enhanced in a way only you know how. (that's meant to look like a cute smile) There was one truly beautiful Indian song sung by Reena Bhardwaj I think. I think it’s new but I could be wrong. She has an amazing voice. I still remember the shudders the first time I heard her sing. There was also some lovely orchestral stuff and I liked the sunshine song too. Hope they scattered roses on the stage at the end (Do they do that at the proms or is that just my imagination....?)

I saw some photos also. You looked handsome Nitin and very happy. Reena Bhardwaj and Anoushka Shankar also looked very beautiful. I didn’t see photos of any of the other singers. There was a movingly energetic, soul stirring song you composed with Anoushka Shankar.  Will that music be on your next album? 

~ * Til next time, Rhian, X * ~

PS Any news on the release of Hari Om?

---

“Refuse to fall down. If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down, lift your heart...... The one who says nothing good came of this is not yet listening.”
Clarissa Pinkola-Estes

Hello all

I was one of the lucky ones who made it to the Albert Hall last Friday.  Had an amazing night... I've had the pleasure of seeing Nitin a few times over recent years, but there was something special about this one.  The setting itself added a certain gravitas to the occasion, but the performance lived up to the billing.  Nitin's orchestral arrangements of old favourites worked wonderfully well on the whole and were suitably fitting of the occasion.  I loved the fact that there was a full string section to call upon... the opening of Homelands got the live sound it deserves... gives me goose bumps just thinking about it!

I loved the new stuff for the computer game, particularly the second piece... fitting for an epic battle between good and evil, the sound filled the old hall!  Further demonstration, if it were needed, of the breadth of Nitin's ability as a composer.

I also loved the Roy Ayers cover, the collaborations with Anoushka Shankar (stunning), Noches en Vela (pre- and post- interval), The Conference (always a winner), oh I could go on...

There were wonderful performances throughout, not least by Aref Durvesh and his lightning tabla hands.  Combined with the entrancing sound of Nitin's Spanish guitar, these brought the night to a stirring close with a wonderful amd moving rendition of Prophecy.

All in all, a night to remember.  Thank you Nitin and all concerned for a truly wonderful evening.

I have seen the guy a few times now but this was by far his best performance, truly amazing.

My highlights:

- Breathing Light with the orchestra was breathtaking (although I would

- Immigrant was moving.

- Rendition of homelands with the orchestra was audacious but he pulled it off. 

- Vidya...I immediately recognised this track in the first few secs but it sounded so different live moving further into the song- amazing.

 - Letting Go- Tina Grace's voice was sublime in the RAH

- Dead Man- Fink, Reena and Ashwin all on top form

- Herecina Latino- wanted to get up and start dancing (didn't think it was appropriate in the RAH though!)

- Prophesy- intimiate as always

The collaborations with Fink and Anouska Shankar were really cool too although I really wanted them to play The Search with Anoushka on the sitar (again, I don't think this would have been appropriate for the RAH!). Aref, as always smashed it on the tablas! We need 2 Ashwin Srinivasans' for Mausam (only disappointment of the night- they didn't play it) so one can play the flute and one can sing! 

An amazing night to remember, I had a constant smile on my face!

 

I'm about halfway through listening to the program. Sounds amazing. And from the reports of those that were there, it was even more breathtaking in person. Congratulations to Nitin and all the other musicians on a successful night!

---

_______________________________________

Beverly

It’s so lovely to read other people’s thoughts about the concert and especially to know that I was not the only one with a warm glow and an irrepressible case of perma-grin (I also found it impossible to sit still but was too self-conscious to get up and boogie).

I was thrilled by every minute of it! I’ve got to say, Tina’s voice, particularly when she sang “Noches en Vela”, was so mournful and gutsy and so emotionally-charged, it made me shiver. Woman – you’ve got balls…bigguns….hold onto them! Anoushka, I hope we shall see collaborating with the man again in the future and oh, also, I SHALL be going to see “Zero Degrees” this autumn!

Also, hearing “Nadia” performed again was such a joy and brought back the memory of Jeff Beck’s incredible rendition, the last time Nitin played the venue. It also reminded me of a time when I was at another band’s gig, years ago now, and there was a DJ warming up. The place was full of chatter, with no one paying any attention to the music until the DJ put “Nadia” on and the whole audience sighed in unison, a heartfelt “ahhh” as soon as it began and listened….. a beautiful memory.

But anyway, back to the Proms - Every piece of music just flowed and every performer sang and played to perfection and, my God! The score for “Heavenly Sword” will certainly raise the bar by more than several notches for other composers…. Pity the poor soul who’s asked to top that one!

There was most definitely something of an extraordinary vibe permeating the hall …a sense of genuine celebration ….. as an old colleague of mine would’ve put it, “There’s a lot of love in the place!” There certainly was that night!

Well done Nitin et al ~ You did us proud!

---

"Does my bum look big in this installation?"

agree with the above sentiments - i was lucky enough to attend, it was awe-inspiring.  been to RAH before, seen Nitin at al several times over the last five years or more, but Friday's Prom was by far and away the best live concert I've ever attended - including zakir hussain, talvin singh, anoushka with ravi shankar, the lot...!!

 just beautiful - i especially loved the renditions of homelands, the namesake theme (takes me to the edge of tears every time i hear it!), and of course the best piece of music Nitin has ever written, Prophecy.

 loved the choreographed stuff by akram khan too, brilliant - please please please BBC release it as either an album or a dvd - even tho i sneakily streamed the listen-again audio from radio 3's site..."

Absolutely amazing night.  One of the best evenings I've had in a very, very long time!

Here's another big plea to the BBC to release the DVD/Album.  Unfortunately I've just missed out on "listen again"...  umm... I know it's a bit cheeky, but until the BBC do release it, any really, really kind person that has managed to capture this willing to share the love and send me a copy?

 
I would be very, very, very grateful, I'm absolutely kicking myself that I missed it by 2 days... 
 

I have to confess that I recorded the concert on my Freeview box so I could listen again.  But, fret no more, Billy the Fish.  You can still get it on listen again via the Asian Network http://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork/

 Rosemary 

 

---

"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness" Confucius