November 26, 2023

Asad Ali Khan: Maestro's Choice (Music Today A91012) a cassette recorded and issued in India in 1991

Here is a lovely cassette on the Music Today label featuring a performance by rudra veena maestro Asad Ali Khan.






Khan is a famous exponent of the Dhrupad style. 


Dhrupad is one of the oldest forms of classical music in India, dating back to the medieval period. Its origins are often traced to the spiritual and devotional singing in the temples, evolving over centuries into a sophisticated and highly structured musical form. The word "Dhrupad" is derived from the Sanskrit words 'dhruva,' meaning fixed, and 'pada,' meaning verse. This reflects the genre's emphasis on structured compositions and fixed musical patterns.


Dhrupad is characterized by its slow and meditative pace, allowing for intricate melodic and rhythmic exploration. It is traditionally performed by a solo vocalist or instrumentalist accompanied by a percussionist. The compositions often draw from ancient Sanskrit or Hindi poetry, exploring themes of love, devotion, and spiritual contemplation.



Transfer: Nakamichi Dragon cassette deck, extensively refurbished and rebuilt.

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 24bit/48kHz resolution
Software: Audacity and xAct.
Monitoring: Digital line out from a MacBook, Focal Spirit One headphones 
with Schitt Audio Asgard headphone preamp with 4490 DAC



downloads:

very high resolution lossless FLAC files


these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that


highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

1 comment: