Back to index of Nerve 12 - Summer 2008

A Joining Of Hands

By Colin Serjent

East will meet West in Liverpool in September when three musicians, Liverpool-based electric guitarist John Loughran and classical guitarist Paul Costello, link up with Sitar player Partha Bose from Calcutta, in a project called 'Sitar Meets Guitar - a Joining Of Hands'.

"Compared to other musical cultures, for example, that of India, Western music is relatively limited in rhythmic and melodic subtlety. We want to fuse the two together and superimpose Western harmonies onto the raga."

In Indian musical tradition, ragas are held at different times of the day, and are melodic modes used in Indian classical music.

"When the three of us perform in Liverpool we want the audience to go on a journey with their ears. All the music we will play during the ninety minutes will be completely improvised."

As well as performing, the three musicians are planning to hold workshops in Liverpool, for example, sessions on the influence of Indian music on Western music.

Information about the location of the gig will be posted on the Nerve website.