Swigen
This has been one of my go-to recordings for many years.
I get through a lot of different sounds in a long night of drawing - each serving their purpose in fueling different points of the creative process.
This one has often been the last selection of the night. When everything needs to be polished off and finalized in a sublime way.
Outside of utilitarian purposes, I find it to be quite the exquisite hour. Probably my favorite hour.
My life wouldn't be the same if this recording didn't exist.
"This recording is an invaluable artifact, destined to become a cherished classic, valued for years to come by those able to appreciate the subtle vibratory qualities of this High Art. In an age of diminishing concern for the high ideals upheld by the venerated masters of the past for strict adherence to the precise pitches and shapes of Raga, Pandit Pran Nath stood alone in his fierce devotion to purity of these ancient ways in a manner that was both traditional and innovative ... His life’s work was service to the true shape and correct pitches of each individual Raga, regarding them as manifestations of a Divine Sound that could only be accurately realized when these pitches and shapes were uniquely delineated for each and every Raga.
The Tambura was a lifelong companion to this work, as each frequency and shape was measured in relation to its finely tuned yardstick and he had little patience or sympathy for any elements that came between his discriminating ear and the lustrous resonance of this venerable stringed instrument.
For his Disciples, La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela, this was also the most cherished goal. The extreme care and loving attention given to the making of this masterpiece of Tambura Artistry make it a singularly rare contribution that far outshines any other attempts to capture this instrument in recorded media. I often use this recording to accompany my own practice and am delighted that now it will be available to students and connoisseurs worldwide. As has been said many times, sitting between two tamburas is Heaven."
—Terry Riley
As the tambura tuning on this CD leaves the sanctuary of Indian classical music that created it and goes out into the world, there is no way to control how it actually might be used over time. However, in the light of the extraordinary convergence of factors that have brought this tuning into physical manifestation, we now offer it to the world. Each vibration that goes out into the universe becomes a part of, and thus affects, the structure of the cosmic composite waveform. May this recording live on, not only as The Tamburas of Pandit Pran Nath Minus One for all devotees of raga to have a well-tuned, ready drone frequency constant with which to practice the śrutis, but at the same time, for all listeners, as a vehicle in the quest for spiritual attainment and for the evolution of consciousness, an introduction to the study of the universal implications of vibrational structure, and a positive force in the eternal interplay of harmony and discord, of harmonicity and inharmonicity, of good vibrations and bad.
*included with purchase is a PDF of the original liner notes*
credits
released June 17, 2021
La Monte Young Marian Zazeela
The Tamburas of Pandit Pran Nath
"82 VII 15 c. 6:35 — 7:35:30 PM + c. 6:37 — 6:52:30 PM NYC"
An Homage
La Monte Young, Tambura, Channel 1
Marian Zazeela, Tambura, Channel 2
Tuning "82 VII 15 c. 4:30 - c. 6:30 PM NYC"
Jora Sa 120, Pa 90, Kuraj Sa 60 Hz (low B↓ pitch) by La Monte Young
Music composed by La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela
Produced by MELA Foundation
Artistic Direction La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela
Jerry Lindahl, Recording Engineer
Bob Bielecki, Digital Mixing
Jung Hee Choi, Digital Release Producer
Micah Feinberg, Digital Release Production Assistant
La Monte Young pioneered the concept of extended time durations in 1957 and for over 60 years contributed extensively to the
development of just intonation and rational number based tuning systems in his performance works; his work had a wide-ranging influence on contemporary music, art, and philosophy, including Minimalism, Fluxus, performance art, and Conceptual art....more
supported by 46 fans who also own “The Tamburas of Pandit Pran Nath”
My god, what an absolutely incredible Suite. I'll admit, I've struggled to get into Pharoah Sanders due to diving headfirst into some of his most challenging catalogue and that never worked. This is the perfect place to restart. Floating Points is new for me and I can honestly say I've never heard synthesizer music this lush and organic before. the LSO is just perfect. This is one of those albums that any serious music fan needs in their life. The perfect swan song for the great Pharaoh! 5/5 ClassyMusicSnob
supported by 37 fans who also own “The Tamburas of Pandit Pran Nath”
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
NY outfit N to The Power cite Erik Satie, The Meters, and Steve Reich as influences, and you can hear it in their free-roaming songs. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 20, 2020