Roopa Panesar, Al MacSween & Camilo Tirado: The Crossing [Live]

The Crossing, created by sitarist Roopa Panesar with jazz pianist Al MacSween for Opera North, draws listeners deep into the emotional states and transformations innate to Indian classical raag. The crossing and re-crossing of the improvisatory lines of sitar and piano, within an intensely intimate environment inspired by traditional ‘baithak’ concerts, offers a collective moment of transformation – a movement from loss toward renewal.

Roopa Panesar began her training under sitar maestro Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE at the age of seven, and under the guidance of Pandit Arvind Parikh and Ustad Shahid Parvez. With the incredible emotional depth of her sound, she has toured extensively in the UK and Europe to major festivals and venues including WOMAD UK, Royal Festival Hall London, BBC Radio 3, Brighton Festival, Darbar Festival at Southbank Centre, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Colston Hall, Bristol. Roopa has collaborated with artists from many different genres, including Talvin Singh, Laura Wright and Dirk Brosse, Belgian Symphony Orchestra and Limburg Symphony Orchestra.

This piece is part of PRS Foundation's New Music Biennial 2022

Commissioned by Opera North

In 2022 New Music Biennial celebrates its 10-year anniversary, and NMC are thrilled to continue as digital partner for PRS Foundations' landmark new music series. 

New Music Biennial's critically acclaimed free festival takes place this year in both Coventry and London, featuring brand new commissions from across all genres and musical styles: from classical and chamber opera to jazz, folk and electronic, by some of the most exciting composers and music creators in the UK today. NMC then provides a lasting legacy for this new music by making it available to listen to as digital releases.

New Music Biennial 2022 comprises 20 pieces of music: ten brand new works and ten pre-existing works from across the festival’s 10-year history. Live recordings of the new works will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and will be released on NMC’s shop across the summer. Download the ten pre-existing works from NMC’s online shop for only £5 here

Listen back to 10 years of New Music Biennial with our five genre-themed curated playlists. From jazz, to folk, to electronic music, they demonstrate the breadth and diversity of music showcased at the festival over the years: listen here

FUNDERS

New Music Biennial is generously supported by the following committed patrons, funders and partners:

RECORDING CREDITS

The Crossing was recorded by the BBC on 24 April 2022 at Draper’s Hall, Coventry.
Producer: Michael Rossi
Sound Engineer: Robert Winter

Catalogue Number: NMC DL202206