The incredibly talented Utsav Lal releases his sixth record of pure Indian Classical Ragas on the piano .Having gained international recognition over the past 15 years for his groundbreaking work, this record is a new direction for the pianist and features strong Dhrupad influenced raga interpretations on piano.

With much more focus on the subtler nuances of raga ornamentation, resonance and development, this is Indian Classical music as it has never been heard before. From diverse influences ranging from the Persian piano playing tradition of Morteza Mahjoobi, the genre bending piano playing of Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou and extended techniques of  Helmut Lachenmann, the music of Canadian born Utsav Lal represents a truly unique and original voice on the piano.

The record features solo piano rendition of two beautiful Indian Ragas in their traditional Alap Jod Jhala form. Both Raga Malkauns and Raga Puriya are explored with patience, sensitivity and great care is taken to respect the heavy and serious emotional characteristics of these ragas. The rudraveena was a huge inspiration for these ragas with particular care given to translating the decay and nuance of tone of the instrument. To showcase the classical tabla accompaniment, the record includes Raga Jaijaivanti presented with a beautiful composition in rupak taal (7 beat cycle) featuring the renowned tabla player Nitin Mitta (of Vijay Iyer’s “Tirtha” trio). The rhythmic incisiveness of Nitin joins hands with the inspirational improvisations of Utsav to create a meaningful acoustic dialogue between the two percussive instruments. The last two tracks are an improvised take on two well-known Indian compositions. Both, which are very clearly based on ragas, are explored with much leniency in form and development and it is here that Utsav Lal’s wide source of musical influences shine through the clearest.

With this latest release, Utsav Lal reveals his prowess in music has come of age and this  record is a distinctive, unapologetically original take on both the piano and on Indian classical music.

Utsav states“The biggest grounding force for me in my musical journey is my guru Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar and the incredible Dhrupad tradition which I am obsessed with. Deciding to play this music on the piano is like an asymptote-the closer you get, the further away you realise you are! Every record is like a postcard on fulfilling your ultimate musical intentions and this one is no exception. My attempt is to explore the expressive potential of the piano in playing this music “

Young Steinway Artist, Indian pianist /composer Utsav Lal, often known as the ‘Raga Pianist’ has set a precedent with his innovative handling of Indian Classical music. One of the most talented musicians of his generation, he is recognized for his raga music and creative vision as an innovator to go against the set tradition for both the Piano and Indian Classical Music. The 26 year classical & jazz pianist has an impressive career behind him with solo performances at leading global venues like Carnegie Hall, Southbank Centre, The John F Kennedy Centre and extensive collaborative work with Irish, Scottish and Indian musicians. Utsav Lal has  taken to stage at Indian Classical, Jazz, Silent Film and World Music festivals, often being the first on the programming calendar of these festivals with his distinctively unique repertoire. Since his debut album release ‘Piano Moods of Indian Ragas” by Times Music(2008), Utsav has five subsequent records available on a worldwide distribution including a solo recording of ragas on the world’s first ever 'Fluid Piano’, released by the Fluid Piano Tuning label ( 2016).

Utsav’s unfailing clarity of technique and rhythmic virtuosity showcases itself in his rendition of ragas. An ABRSM and Yamaha Jazz  scholar, Honors Bachelor in Jazz (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and Masters in Contemporary Improvisation(New England Conservatory of Music), Utsav  explores his work on Indian Classical Music under the tutelage of Dhrupad maestro Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar treading the careful line between an ancient tradition and the innate desire for innovation with utmost respect. Utsav Lal’s music has a powerful intensity that sweeps the audience into a transcendental journey and is known for its sincerity, simplicity and depth.