AMJAD ALI KHAN, Master of Sarod

The great Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is a living legend who is credited with sparking new life into an ancient fading form of musical instrument – The SAROD. Born into the illustrious Bangash family, rooted in the Senia Bangash School of Music, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is carrying on the tradition of his father and Guru “Ustad Hafiz Ali” and five preceding generations. After more than 50 glorious years in this profession, he has passed on the music baton to his sons “Amaan Ali Khan” and “Ayaan Ali Khan”.

In collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations & with the support of Indian Consulate, Munich,
Asha Munich is extremely proud to present ...

AMJAD ALI KHAN, Master of Sarod
Amaan Ali Khan, Sarod
Ayaan Ali Khan, Sarod
(www.sarod.com)

Date/Time: Dec 12, 2009 at 18:00 hours

Venue: Hilmar-Hoffmann-Saal
Zentrale vom Goethe-Institut
Dachauer Str. 122, 80637 Munich

 

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is one of 21st century’s greatest musicians. Having made his first public sarod recital at the age of 6, he has to his credit the distinction of creating many new Ragas and bringing Indian classical music and the Sarod international recognition

He has performed at the WOMAD Festival in Adelaide and New Plymouth, Taranaki in New Zealand, WOMAD Rivermead Festival in UK, Edinburgh Music Festival, World Beat Festival in Brisbane, Summer Arts Festival in Seattle, BBC Proms, International Poets Festival in Rome, Shiraz Festival, UNESCO, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Adelaide Music Festival, 1200 Years celebration of Frankfurt and Schoenbrunn in Vienna.

Amjad Ali Khan has won highest of honours and citations at a young age, a feat accomplished by very few artists. He is a recipient of the UNESCO Award, Padma Vibhushan (Highest Indian civilian award in 2001), Unicef's National Ambassadorship, The Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum and Honorary Doctorates from various universities within and outside India. Along with these he has also received Honorary citizenships for the states of Texas, Massachusetts, Tennessee and the city of Atlanta.

His love for music and faith in his art has enabled him to interpret traditional notions of music in a new and refreshing way, reiterating the challenge of innovation and yet respecting the timelessness of tradition.

"Sarod master shines with sparkling tones. Khan received a standing ovation before playing a note. But once playing, his mastery was obvious."
The Austin American-Statesman

"He gave each melodic phrase an individual character with an expert use of dynamics. And in the improvisations, he was creating his own original shapes. He placed important notes between beats; he used trembling-pitch ornamentation, but not too much; his phrases began mildly, became distended, and dove into silence. He played some very fast phrases but projected gently; he didn’t overwhelm you with power."
The New York Times, 2006 (Carnegie Hall Concert)

Both brothers have been regular performers at Palais beaux-arts in Brussels, ESPLANADE in Singapore, Chicago Symphony Center, Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center in USA, Royal Festival Hall and Barbican Center in UK. In July 2006 Amaan and Ayaan, collaborated with Evelyn Glennie at Queen Elisabeth Hall and also appeared at the WOMAD Rivermead Festival. They are also recipients of the Bharat Shiromani Award for Instrumental Music in 2007 and MTV’s Lycra Award for the Most Stylish Person in Music in 2006.

"Coming Masters…."
The New York Times 2000 (Carnegie Hall)

"Both brothers have developed individual and distinctive musical voices at a very young age, and both look set to become central figures in North Indian classical music-worthy heirs to their father’s crown…"
Songlines World music Magazine, UK 2003

This event is sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi. (www.iccrindia.org)