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WAJAHAT KHAN

SAROD MAESTRO

Press

“An exhilarating experience ... Wajahat’s virtuosity on the sarod can be taken for granted. Equally impressive is his mellow, lyrical playing and its teasing wit.” - The Independent, London

"This was music at its most spontaneous, vibrant and sensual. At times the brilliant flights of fingers and feelings had one sitting almost on the edge of the seat.” - South China Morning Post

“Wah Ustad Wah (Bravo Maestro Bravo )… His distinctive style and virtuoso technique expands over a wide spectrum of dhrupad, khyal and thumri forms .. Wajahat Khan gave one of his finest performance. The sarod maestro continued to enchant the audience with his artistic fingers.” - The Asian Age, Calcutta

"Anyone can shiver at the exotic intervals of the scales - or eavesdrop on the dialogue between Sarod and Tabla, multiplying in complexity as Wajahat fractured the beat into ever smaller divisions. The Sarod's daring slurs and almost vocal tonalities caught the breath." -Music Week, London

"An enthralling five hour concert to a well filled Albert Hall, covering both the traditional and innovative aspects of their dynastic music making ... The main novelty in style that emerged here was the exquisitely expressive vocal style, that involves many subtle inflections of pitch and tack ... conspiring to bring the lyrical fervour within the music to its highest degree of intensity." - The Guardian, London

“A style that was totally self-evolved ... It was indeed a most welcome change from the usual run of today's instrumental music." - The Statesman, New Delhi

"This eminent musical dynasty may be known for its unassailably traditional material, but its members also demonstrate astonishing individuality. Wajahat Khan lavished special attention on textures and dynamic contrasts. He manipulated fragments in a way that built excitement. - The Washington Post

"Mystique of a Virtuoso - the master and his sarod cast a spell over the audience.. Raag Yamini transcended to an uncommon mystique. Nothing existed around but the timbre of Sarod ... deepening a mood of serenade when Wajahat prayed on the strings ... Indeed it was an extraordinary feat” - The Bangladesh Times

"Superb mastery combined with effortless creativity as the organic music developed ... frenetic sequences that took the breath away.” - East Anglia Daily Times

"Each raga began with a romantic and devotional scene, the music slow and melodious ... Gradually the tempo began to increase, the rhythms becoming more complex and brilliant until the building was filled with an explosion of sound ... The acclaim which was given to the musician clearly underlined the interests of the western audiences.” - Eastern Daily Press

“An enriching experience … A revelatory concert, seemingly unearthing a unity of spiritual well-being that was expressed in an exuberant standing ovation.” - Huddersfield Daily

“Wajahat Khan’s playing is breathtaking in its scope and attention to melodic and rhythmic detail. His style is confident, direct and often urgent, displaying total mastery of his instrument. You will rarely hear playing that is more focused and intelligent than this.” - Songlines and Gramophone

“The audience response in the climactic sequences of the rag are an apt measure of the electrifying impact of these superb performances” - Soundscapes, Australia

"It seemed it could have gone on all night. Wajahat displayed an elegant and mature sense of melody. The evening was a resounding success.” - Hong Kong Standard

Some Press Quotes

Review excerpts for Wajahat Khan - as a Composer

“The work represents the approach of a serious fusion music to maturity. Romantic titles – ‘Prayers of Love’, ‘Monsoon memories’ - hide probing questions concerning form, texture and harmony, which, in seriousness and ambition, go beyond anything Shankar himself has attempted.” - New Statesman

“A brave..attempt to meld two disparate musics that sets an imaginative precedent.. From devotional musing to visceral excitement. It makes for a great listen .. Good sound.” - Gramophone

“It gets better and better.. A brave, bold and successful contribution to East-West classicism which is definitely destined.” - Classic CD

“East meets West in a wonderful musical experiment.. An extraordinary cultural interchange.. and the result was very exciting.. the music was an incredible experience.. The Quartet was interesting and full of lovely harmonies, well worth a place in the regular repertoire. They sounded wonderful and the experiment was a great success.” - The Surrey Advertiser

“A richly inventive work.. evokes many romantic and different feelings, with changing forms and textures.. something excitingly modern, a creative fusion of two long traditions. In an age of cheap commercialism and meretricious garbage here is something of real merit and inventiveness.” - Morley Magazine

“‘Monsoon Memories’ This movement which evokes the thundery outburst of a monsoon downpour is full of musical energy, and very good rhythms.. An interesting and important work.. cannot be praised enough.. Wajahat excels himself. His gayaki singing style imitating the human voice is superb.. This record is an important addition to the modern string repertoire” - John Mayor (Composer) in The Musician