Suite for South Indian Veena and Orchestra
Nirmala Rajasekar and Shrini performing at the premiere with the St. Paul Civic Symphony
Dedicated to Nirmala Rajasekar. Composed in 2007.
Instrumentation: 2(pic)-1+EH-2-2/4-2-0-1/2 perc/str, veena
Duration: 25 min.
I. Alap (raga-mayamalavagaula)
II. Thillana (raga-mayamalavagaula)*
III. Alap (raga-risabhapriya)
IV. Thillana (raga-janaranjani)*
V. Jati
VI. Alap (raga-rasikapriya)
* indicates veena melody by Nirmala Rajasekar
Alap = a slow unfolding of the raga/melody
Jatis = subgroups of rhythmic syllables that make up the large Indian rhythmic circle of a tala
Thillana = a light, classical composition
Commissioned by the St. Paul Civic Symphony
Premiere: St. Paul Civic Symphony (May 2007)