The Legend of Sangeet by Philip Harper
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Once, a long time ago, during the transitional period between two Ages, it so happened that people took to uncivilised ways. They were ruled by lust and greed, and behaved in an angry and jealous manner with each other. Demons, evil spirits, Yakshas and such like others swarmed over the Earth.
Seeing this plight, Indra and the other Gods approached the God Brahma and requested him to give the people a gift. This gift should not only be seen, but also heard, and this should prove to be a diversion, so that people gave up their bad ways.
Although it was decided to give the celestial art of Sangeet to mankind, a suitable human had to be found who was capable of receiving this gift as Sangeet had always been in the realm of the Demigods (Gandharva). A being of superior spiritual ability was required to convey this art form to the world of man. It fell upon the great sage Narada to be the first mortal recipient of this divine art.
Through Narada we are indebted for the presence of Indian Classical Music.
The piece is in three sections: Firstly, ‘Evil Spirits Swarmed over the Earth’ which is violent and is full of suggestions of vile creatures stamping about and screams of anger and terror. The second section is ‘Narada, serene and tender-hearted’ which is a character-study of the wise and knowing seer. Lastly comes ‘Sangeet’ which follows precisely the conventions of Indian Classical music, creating a meditative mood through the use of the Indain scale-pattern ‘Raga Kedar’ then adding the cyclic rhythm pattern of ‘Tintal’ before building to a joyful and ecstatic close.
All instruments required to perform the Contest-version are standard brass band (or percussion) instruments.
Percussion (3 players)
PERCUSSION I Timpani and Tambourine
PERCUSSION II Bass Drum, Tabla (or Congas), Clash Cymbals, Tambourine
PERCUSSION III Suspended Cymbal, Clash Cymbals, Glockenspiel, Tambourine, Tam tam, Bass Drum
Seeing this plight, Indra and the other Gods approached the God Brahma and requested him to give the people a gift. This gift should not only be seen, but also heard, and this should prove to be a diversion, so that people gave up their bad ways.
Although it was decided to give the celestial art of Sangeet to mankind, a suitable human had to be found who was capable of receiving this gift as Sangeet had always been in the realm of the Demigods (Gandharva). A being of superior spiritual ability was required to convey this art form to the world of man. It fell upon the great sage Narada to be the first mortal recipient of this divine art.
Through Narada we are indebted for the presence of Indian Classical Music.
The piece is in three sections: Firstly, ‘Evil Spirits Swarmed over the Earth’ which is violent and is full of suggestions of vile creatures stamping about and screams of anger and terror. The second section is ‘Narada, serene and tender-hearted’ which is a character-study of the wise and knowing seer. Lastly comes ‘Sangeet’ which follows precisely the conventions of Indian Classical music, creating a meditative mood through the use of the Indain scale-pattern ‘Raga Kedar’ then adding the cyclic rhythm pattern of ‘Tintal’ before building to a joyful and ecstatic close.
All instruments required to perform the Contest-version are standard brass band (or percussion) instruments.
Percussion (3 players)
PERCUSSION I Timpani and Tambourine
PERCUSSION II Bass Drum, Tabla (or Congas), Clash Cymbals, Tambourine
PERCUSSION III Suspended Cymbal, Clash Cymbals, Glockenspiel, Tambourine, Tam tam, Bass Drum