Chris Votek – Chris Votek: Memories of a Shadow (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 51:19 minutes | 570 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MicroFest Records
Acclaimed as a “creative force,” cellist and composer Chris Votek, who is one of LA’s most in demand studio artists and composers, is celebrating the release of Memories of a Shadow, on MicroFest Records, with a concert on March 5 at the Pico Union Project. The release marks Votek’s bold recording debut as both a traditionalist performing Hindustani raga on cello, and an innovative composer exploring the intersection between Western and Indian Classical traditions.
Refracting Indian classical music through the lens of modern Western chamber music, the program will include a traditional raga presentation in Gayaki-Ang (vocal) style with master of the singing violin, Kala Ramnath, leading Votek’s cello and Dhillon’s tabla; Votek’s string quintet Memories of a Shadow, a cathartic three movement work blending raga melody with European polyphony, and an encore performance of Sands of Time, an arrangement for string sextet, Indian violin, and tabla of a traditional Rajasthani Folk Medley arranged by Votek and Dhillon originally created for Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ramnath and the San Francisco Symphony. The artists include violinists Andrew Tholl and Adrianne Pope, violists Ben Bartelt and Tom Lea, and cellist Derek Stein.
“Chris Votek is one man fluent in two grand traditions, refracting Indian classical music through the lens of modern Western chamber music. Superbly blending raga melody with early European polyphony, his string quintet Memories of a Shadow is followed by the serene afternoon raga Bhimpalasi perfectly suited to the deep voice of his cello in delightful conversation with Neelamjit Dhillon’s tabla. The composer is one of the world’s few cellists performing in the rare Gayaki-Ang vocal style of Hindustani music.” (John Schneider, KPFK Radio)
Tracklist:
1-1. Chris Votek – I. Serpents (07:22)
1-2. Chris Votek – II. Fossil Dance (08:53)
1-3. Chris Votek – III. Migration of the Fires (12:15)
1-4. Chris Votek – Bhimpalasi (Chota Khyal) [Arr. C. Votek for Cello & Tabla] (22:48)
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