Cello Circles is an album of improvised cello and acoustic guitar with rich
musical textures and beautifully crafted original compositions. Hear the many
colors and nuances of the cello, the Emperor of the Orchestra.
Kalyan's playful approach to the cello merges with eight compositions that
celebrate the music and sound of one of the most loved instruments of the
classical orchestra. With tones of depth, beauty and joyous spontaneity,
Kalyan's cello soars higher and higher on the rich textures of Sambodhi Prem's
guitar.
Recorded between 2001 and 2008 Cello Circles has taken its own time to come to a
point of completion. Started as a fun project between friends living on opposite
sides of the globe, this album organically grew into a richly orchestrated ode to
the many colours and nuances of the cello.
Sambodhi Prem has been a recording artist with releases dating back to the
mid-eighties, mostly guitar-based instrumental music and introspective titles
for relaxation.
Kalyan is a classically trained cellist and multi instrumentalist, with skills
on stringed and wind instruments. This album has his cello in the main role, but
there are also plenty of minor roles for a host of interesting instruments that
he plays.
The Indian dilruba is heard on two pieces, plucked on the intro of 'Leaving
Space' and bowed on the last piece 'Spring Water', the Japanese kyotaku flute
can be heard on 'This Moment'. And there are the more familiar sounds of the
fretless bass and the recorder, all played by Kalyan.
By no means is this an album of world-music mishmashes, the tone is focussed on
the cello but there's enough breathing space for many other sounds to have a
place. Most pieces are 'down-tempo', but with a constantly changing landscape of
sounds.
The compositions were written by both players - Sambodhi did most of the
production and the recording of the backing tracks. You can hear that lots of
thought went into the compositions, as the music is never repetitive and it
holds your interest even after repeat listenings.
Sambodhi Prem says:
"My collaboration with Kalyan has been a wonderful journey of reaching across
physical oceans, but with a musical closeness and creative richness - resulting
in 8 compositions where the sound of the cello merges with my guitar, the
textures of my studio, and the range of other instruments that Kalyan plays.
During the recording of Cello Circles I was mostly living "down-under" in
Australia and New Zealand, while Kalyan lives in Canada. We collaborated from
afar, working together for the love of music, for our own entertainment, until
we found that music had emerged which we felt to share with more people than
just our closest friends.
At the heart of this music is improvisation - the starting point that guides us
when we create. Add a little bit of musical luck and a few blessings from the
gods of technology, plus a heavy dose of work to bring things to completion -
making music is a bit like cooking - timing and tasting is everything.
Over the course of this recording, which started in 2001 and was released in
September 2008, I've fallen in love with the sound of the cello. Kalyan's
approach towards the instrument is playful, yet deep. His meditative energy
makes the instrument the perfect vehicle for his musical expression. Being an
experienced musician on Indian instruments like the dilruba and the rudra veena
gives him a point of reference very few cellists have. He brings so much to the
instrument and to this project, I feel truly honored to be working with him.
I love the cello because it's able to express great depths of sadness and is
equally able to reach the heights of joy - expressing a special kind of joy - a
joy that has a depth unique amongst musical instruments.
I also want to mention that I've been fortunate having Sandipa help me with the
delicate process of making music long-distance and receiving her great support.
She created a beautiful painting, Harmony in Lily Flat Major, while this album
was being recorded which you can see on the cover.
One of the best things in my life is to create music with a friend and feeling
the connection and shared understanding when all the pieces fall into place and
there is an expression of both our uniqueness, merged into one flow. I have
experienced this while playing in a live setting, but to have that same feeling
on a recording has been a most wonderful gift."
What people are saying about Cello Circles:
"A big and hearty congratulations on your orchestral and sonic triumph of sound
and soul with your gifted as well colleague Kalyan. You are both genius of
creating a sonic tapestry that is masterful. Each of you give us so many voices
to listen to and as a cellist I would have to say that Kalyan is a first rate
modern jazz and world music cellist and like you exhibit gifts as a multi
instrumentalist. You are both stunning and profound, congratulations."
David Darling, Grammy Award Winning Composer and Cellist and Founder of Music For People, USA
