Craig Ogden (guitar) in conversation with Roopa Panesar (sitar)

Guitarist Craig Ogden in conversation with Leicester-based sitar player Roopa Panesar. The two virtuosi compare instrumental techniques and find links between the Indian and western classical music traditions. This podcast also gives audiences an introduction to Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, which Ogden performed in Leicester on 1 February 2012. The project was a collaboration with Shruti Arts and Orchestras Live.
You can watch the rest of our videos featuring string instruments here: • String Instruments (Ph...
Discover our "Artists in Conversation" playlist here: • Artists in Conversatio...
The Philharmonia is a world-class symphony orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
Based in London at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, resident in cities and at festivals across England, and touring internationally, the Philharmonia creates thrilling performances for a global audience. Find out more about us on our website: philharmonia.co.uk/
Explore our KZbin channel for performances, interviews, documentaries, listening guides and instrument films: www.youtube.com/@philharmonia...
Join our email list for regular updates on our live performances: tickets.philharmonia.co.uk/ma...
The Philharmonia is a registered charity, find out how to support our work: philharmonia.co.uk/join-support/
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: / philharmoniaorchestra
Instagram: / philharmonia_orchestra
Twitter: / philharmonia
TikTok: / philharmoniaorchestra

[@shounakhinge8]

Western classical music always teaches me to look outside myself & explore & enjoy ! Indian classical music always teaches me to look inside myself & explore & enjoy !

[@faizalkhan3042]

Exactly mate

[@NishantSingh-qe7vv]

Western is material nd indian is spritual

[@user-ts2ny8jg9d]

@@NishantSingh-qe7vv haven't heard a lot of classical guitar, have you?

[@jakzilla95]

Amazing way to put it

[@thewr0ngchild]

Both are beautiful forms of music. I have grown to love ALL kinds of music, from metal to jazz, classical to rap, there isn't many genres I really do not like. The beauty of classical is every country and culture has it's own sound and classical pieces. Indian classical music, Chinese classical music etc, they all sound of their country of origin, and are all beautiful to listen to. Music is what sets humans apart from our animal cousins, as no other living animal has been able to compose music, music is the collective voice of humanity x

[@SudeshChouhan]

No hard feelings for guitar, but Sitar sounds like it's from heaven

[@judahbgameshd4849]

... what?

[@tonmoydeka7319]

India's heaven ,,,,you mean?

[@keshavchandrasemwal8982]

Bhai swarg mai bajate hi honge naarad

[@Akashpagol]

You stole my comment 4 months back. I second you

[@narendermakhijani9512]

@@tonmoydeka7319 No . All heavens my dear . Listen to guitar and see the sweetness in it.

[@CraigMansfield]

I love how the sitar seems to breathe, constantly.

[@sagnik489]

Its tanpura playing in the background.

[@RobertSlover]

@@sagnik489 no the sympathetic strings vibrate passively creating an almost spooky "breathing" effect.

[@yessidolemerchant5143]

@@RobertSlover not for that long and the sympathetic strings aren't that deep. You cant see the speaker to her left

[@RobertSlover]

@@yessidolemerchant5143 how do you know tom?

[@yessidolemerchant5143]

@@RobertSlover I played guitar in a fusion band with a sitar, he could play the drone strings to create an accompanying sound but to get that continuous rich drone he would use a tanpura backing track. Just look how long Roopa Panesar is leaving the sitar without playing as the drone continues, strings don't reverberate for that long, its clear that the speaker right beside her is playing the tanpura drone

[@param888]

Instead of language course we should made music classes mandatory at elementary schools. Music is truly global language And it is good for logical brain too

[@JATIN-cm1gf]

what an irony. your name😂😂🤣

[@incognitome2314]

Language also has its own beauty..you touch soul with music but touch heart when you speak someone's language.. my idea of it!😇

[@tanmaygusain1316]

I think we need both

[@ashwanikumarpasi5152]

Yup, music makes you a better person.

[@exenderlloyd7750]

Sadly this isn't quite the thing. All the children's songs in the west are really just meant to pass on the whole 12TET V-I mindset that our ancestors have done. The arabic and indian 24TET sounds untuned to most westerners as it's not what's forcefully put into our brains at a young age. That's why I'm here actually, to get "un-used"

[@RikthDcruze]

The Sitar is so majestic, the looks, the sound, the discipline, the everything...

[@MykTheOccultist]

Is the sitar disciplined?

[@randal7101]

The background music is driving me crazy

[@steefan2248]

@@MykTheOccultist Beat me to it, I'm 3 months late.

[@liw9991]

cuz we respect our goddess of knowledge saraswati we have to be disciplined to show respect for music which is one of her ability 😉

[@lll2282]

@@randal7101 its tampura in banground used during yoga and meditation in india

[@stechkadam3465]

Guitar sounds like chilling summer in Italian country side Sitar has heavenly sound

[@HaharuRecords]

She is very calm..i love that from an Indian. Because that is the real Indians ..♥️🇲🇻✌️😊

[@Sodhi.jaspreet]

Sitar always brings my tears. Down. I don't know why but it is. Amazing .

[@andrek5008]

I love the sitar very much , and the sound its so heavenly !

[@MJruling]

Fell in love with the sitar

[@thehonkening1]

Her name is Roopa

[@joshuarosen6242]

I have met both of these excellent musicians and they were both very interesting to talk to. It's always fascinating talking to someone about something they really understand deeply.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

+Joshua Rosen Thanks for sharing Josh, great that you enjoyed the video.

[@bjmain1947]

LLP

[@altisgotours2440]

Look at their eyes,pure respect towards the excitement of learning new things,without a pinch of arrogance or false pride.Even after they almost mastered their respective instruments,they still know how to listen to the other person. The world must be like this,do not think someone inferior,do not enforce one's beliefs on others.There is always something to learn in this life time. Love all and respect all and learn from the good things for humanity.

[@abhibkp]

When Legends Talk, time stops and listens.

[@sitaramprasadkoduru231]

With you. What a pleasant experience listening to them.

[@parasrawat1174]

Sitar makes the most relaxing sounds that any instruments can't do it is difficult though there are many tempos 1)Alap ( Warm up Very Slow ) 2)Jor ( Slow Composition ) 3)Jhalla ( Solo Sitar ) 4) Vilambit ( Normal Composition ) 5)Drut Gat ( Faster Composition ) 6)Ati Drut Gat ( Can't even see the hands of the sitar player ).

[@mikhailyadav]

After watching this, I realised how very little I know of music and its technicalities... How artists throughout history have devoted their life to play, develop and evolve music and its study.

[@blazingax05]

I play both...guitar and sitar. Both instruments have their merits, especially when I want to hear a beautiful harmony of layered notes, guitar is amazing...when I want to hear a heavenly and soulful melody, I go to sitar

[@pipeman100]

Lovely to hear both instruments played together.

[@freddiemercurybulsara3876]

Pride of India, Nobody can touch Indian classical music.

[@aishwaryaprakash229]

@@uog293 Not bringing man,It was developed in india , Thanks to their music taste

[@apoorvsalar9452]

​@@uog293 lol music is haram in islam...

[@apoorvsalar9452]

​@@aishwaryaprakash229 Muslims appropriated and stole our culture

[@apoorvsalar9452]

​@@uog293 Tell me the musical traditions of the origin countries of these so called mughals....shithole central Asian countries gave india music... yeah right

[@s5utu]

Roopa Phean Ji is such an accomplished musician and plays the sitar so effortlessly..truely enjoyable to listen too. Being a keen listener of both classical Indian and European music I can appreciate each genre and enjoy both. Thankyou for this informative conversation. 🙏

[@autansh26]

Indian instument players Don't really rely on written notes and bars... Ears are enough...

[@cyanhallows7809]

Every good musician develops their ear...................

[@ChinmayLive]

@@cyanhallows7809 but there is no concept of notes in Indian classical music.. Each and every musician has to learnthe Raaga by heart and to do that they spend hrs everyday for decades..

[@cyanhallows7809]

@@ChinmayLive raaga is the concept of notes, what are u talking about there is no concept of notes. loony

[@ericbana191]

​@@cyanhallows7809no need be rude. What's he's trying to say prob is that Indian music is mostly improvised and has an oral tradition. It's not "sheet" music as in the western classical tradition. It's never written down. Ragas are not written down, they have a fixed melody, some structure and mostly improvisation.

[@suhasinimadhuryachennubhot9342]

Both the instruments are beautiful in their own ways!

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

He is playing the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo. It's the slow, second movement, Adagio.

[@manpreetsethi1736]

Both artists were not just clearly informative and had great banter but are exceptionally talented I like

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Our pleasure. We're glad it evokes such positive memories.

[@goutamchatterjee3124]

Between 8:55 and 8:59, the blend of guitar and sitar just gave me goosebumps 😍

[@FindGodPLZ]

Make one on Sarangi plz

[@TreyYancy]

Ogden refers to key changes in western music. A good example of a sitar doing this is found in the song "Folk Tune" by Kushal Das. It is on his Divine Soul album and also on YT.

[@JaySinghIsImmature]

She's so good at her art and at simplifying complex concepts. So cool!

[@orepstein]

that was an amazing explanation for a western guy like me ! thank you for this

[@MegaChamith]

OMG.. she played Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez on her sitar... that sound of combination of guitar and sitar is really beautiful..

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you very much! We're really pleased you're enjoying them and finding them interesting. Thanks for watching!

[@brucedavis191]

the beatles figured this out in 1967. i love the sitar. i believe a piece written for both by master of both would d well.

[@rgsd1969]

wow that sitar really drones on and on

[@embercorleone2898]

She had a tambura drone on her phone. But definitely a beautiful made sitar.

[@collecter3456]

It’s actually quite annoying to me on its own. It’s just one note sustained forever pretty much.

[@collecter3456]

It’s actually quite annoying to me on its own. It’s just one note sustained forever pretty much.

[@cybeonic]

No hard feelings of guitar but sitar sounds like it’s from heaven

[@ramanidpr40]

great interview ,love the two most beautifull instrument differences

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you for the lovely feedback.

[@archer7199]

More than the instruments it's the musician whom I appreciate and I respect their talent! I can listen to them for hours when they hit my chord 'cause I know it for sure that music is universal be it western or eastern! A harp can port me to an alternate reality and so can a Sarod. A Saxophone can crack me up and so can an Esraj!

[@chetalisamant6789]

Wonderful symphony of two sounds !! The Guitar sounds like the " western cousin" of Sitar in this conversation ... amazing conversation Roopa and Craig !!!

[@johnnymoses5450]

Roopa is divine in every aspect of the word, she is truly a gift from the gods

[@tijuanaiguana190]

johnny moses lol this isn't Roman gladiator times there isn't multiple gods

[@brijray1773]

Tinjana iguana -------------Well said. It is time for philosophies like, those who wear only "JEANS" will go to heaven all those who do not, or wear casuals are going to "BURN IN ETERNAL HELL"

Tijuana iguana Exactly, and everyone know that the true god is the Flying Spaghetti Monster :)

[@shiva_MMIV]

Tijuana iguana You are aware that in the world there are a lot of polytheist religions and people practicing them (more than monotheists, in fact), don't you?

[@virnalinebrida-sunga7748]

@@shiva_MMIV nah, there are more monotheists, Christianity has 2 billion people following it, and Islam has almost 2 billion too

[@satyajitsahu]

Thank you Philharmonia for sharing a wonderful conversation. Roopa Panesar looks like a goddess playing the Sitar, and she plays like one. Your response on Kirpal Panesar's video brought me here. Are they related? They both have similar style, brilliant musicians, extremely knowledgable, yet humble.

[@Blissful_seeker]

Not related, just talented musicians from UK

[@InTheMixReviews]

Life is amazing, when you see people at their best. I never cared for Sitar till I saw this video. Mind blown!

[@matt134174]

Thanks for asking such basic questions, and explanations; Wish I found this a long time ago!!

[@user-wq2xu1rn2c]

Loved this exchange of music between three east and West. Need more of this.. beautiful

[@finalbreath15]

I love this type of stuff. Just hearing a knowledgeable musician discover the world of a new instrument is entertaining, it can be enjoyable to watch others learn what intrigues them.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback. Please do subscribe to the channel for more from our artists.

[@rishishenoy]

There is so much Humility and respect for each other and there styles of playing in the discussion. That give a real warmth and joy to the heart of anybody listening to this beautiful but informative discussion. I hope there is a video where they both play together. May both the musicians be blessed with long life and more fantastic music in there life.

[@AryaInk]

The sound of sitar is mesmerizing. I love guitar too, specially fingerstyle.

[@atish05]

It's like guitar and sitar communicating with each other divine man Thank you so much

[@fusion-music]

Nice interview of two disciplines. Very informative.

[@iwakeyou]

Wow.... I love the conversation... Lots of love to you both

[@aalaptube]

The conversation was very informative. Great respect for all masters who have worked hard to reach the levels they are at, and growing.

[@vincentdequiram1102]

Interesting how most of the Indian commentators here feel the necessity to say that the sitar is heavenly and divine and the guitar just somewhat OK. I love and play both instruments but would never say one is better or more divine than the other. I guess it’s more about some nationalistic pride and musical socialization, and I assume the people who write this comparisons are not musicians and have no clue what they are talking about. All the classical Indian musicians I met are very respectful and admire European classical instruments music. A friend of mine who was on tour with the great Ravi Shankar always tells the story that when he was with R.S. on a Long Trip in a Train and Ravi asked him to put some music on. He put Bach‘s Brandenburg Concerto on. Ravi said to everyone including his daughter Anoushka to be silent for the next 30 minutes and repeatedly said: „Listen to this! This is the absolute perfection!“ His words are usually the ones I say when I hear him playing the sitar.

[@DipayanPyne94]

You are right. It is just Nationalistic Pride. Most of those Indians know nothing about Music. I, as an Indian, recently had an argument with someone. He was saying that Melodies in Western Music are very Mediocre, Western Music has only 2 Scales and so on. I had to school his a**. Nationalism is like a disease, whether you agree with me or not. Countries, western or eastern, try to instill a sense of pride in their citizens by promoting their history and culture. This is sad because people should have only one Identity : Rationality. Everything else is less significant. This Realisation will stop people from making comments like the ones made by the Indians in this comment section. Anyway, from an Objective Standpoint, Western Music, in general, is Nearly Universal, not Indian. Why ? Coz Indian Classical Music has ALWAYS been NON HARMONIC. However, Indian Classical Music is Awesome just the way it is. Why ? Coz it has Evolved very Beautifully in a Non Harmonic Way, thanks to the Unique Approach to Melody and Rhythm in Indian Classical. The System of Raag and Taal make Indian Music the most Unique Non Harmonic Musical Tradition on this Planet and I say that with 100 % certainty. Legendary Indian Composers like Shankar Ehsaan Loy and A. R. Rahman have combined Indian Classical and Western Harmony so beautifully that their Music is one of the Finest in the world, at least according to me. Anyway, my point is that anything that is worthy of appreciation, because of it's Beauty and Uniqueness/ Originality, should be appreciated, without any kind of pride. Why ? Coz Pride clouds our judgement and makes us narrow minded. When I realised this, I started loving All Kinds of Music. That is what we should care about, as Rational humans ...

[@vincentdequiram1102]

@@DipayanPyne94 Thank you for this wonderful response

[@DipayanPyne94]

@@vincentdequiram1102 No worries ! I always like to be factual or objective. It's the one thing that most people don't care too much about. That's why they end up saying all kinds of BS 😂

[@kunjukunjunil1481]

@@DipayanPyne94 What's "factual" about someone's personal opinion ? What's 'objective' about personal taste ? You are reading too much into peoples comments .Most of the time it's an acquired taste or conditioning ,not some "nationalistic" "chauvinistic " premediated attack on guitar 😆 .

[@DipayanPyne94]

@@kunjukunjunil1481 There's nothing factual about people's tastes. That's right. That wasn't my point. My point was that people should be factual and objective. They are often not. Their subjectivity is reflected in their musical tastes. When they start judging others for different tastes, that's when the problem starts. That's what I am against. Now, even in music, there are certain objective standards. For eg, there is no concept of harmony in Indian music. This obviously makes Indian music incomplete from an educational standpoint. Indian music can NEVER be Universal. Western Music is Universal, only because it has Harmony. Finally, if it is really just acquired taste, then new tastes can also be acquired. For that, people need an open mind. The mind often becomes closed because of nationalism or cultural pride. That must stop. Simple ...

[@Yasser229]

Thank you so much PhilharmonialLondon for the Information, I used to hear this piece a lot on Kabul Radio when I was a child back home, they used to recite poetries and play soft music in back ground such as this one. Thanks again!

[@samiralabed9232]

Wonderful conversation

[@mansitambade6730]

Ohhh myy godd... i am getting good suggestions from YT. Great to watch this discussion between western and Indian classical musicians.Respect and love for both of them.❤️👌🏻

[@gyaneshgaur3440]

I like Indian classical music very much The Guitar faded in front of sitar

[@Pranav9977]

both eastern & western music & instruments r majestic in their own rights & territory... but the associated ego & arguments resulting from it is sickening...& that too frm the people who dont even play or understand either kind of music fully... can we drop the identity & looks of it & solely dive deeper in the most important thing here which is "music"

[@hansschetselaar1657]

Really fantastic video, I like play famous songs on guitar but want also learn to play sitar I try to imitate sitar sound on classical guitar, a tough job but like the challenge

[@Virag100ni]

Superb Video .. Both Are just Amazing Players

[@slidewithsourav]

mesmerizing..simply mesmerizing...

[@harriskhan7821]

this was such a beautiful watch

[@shantanuselokar6357]

What a great video. Such great musicians both of them.

[@shyamsd5519]

Informatively inspirational. Thank you Philharmonic Orchestra. Keep on.

[@gbh9550]

Beautiful music and musician !!

[@vikramb149]

Awesome music with really elegant people

[@h.w.ohohoh]

Thanks for making this one, interesting to see the conversation with guitarist and Sitarist, loving it!! ❤❤❤

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@segovianity]

Classical guitarist Simon Thacker has been performing (and composing) Asian-style music with his group 'Svara Kanti' (including violinist Jaqueline Shave) in fine style - check them out.

[@narendermakhijani9512]

Simply beautiful !

[@ariella_sisters_official8562]

Really amazing I just excited to see

[@dhrubachoudhury8030]

Excellent. God bless both.

[@dougwalsh4578]

Awsome much appreciation , any muscical instrument played with feeling is thank you

[@Obsequie]

Her eyes have soul

[@shalendrachawla]

Both are superb :) Thanks for the video.

[@apurba121]

Classical guitar is excellent in the formation of beautiful music while Sitar is divine which can lead us to another dimension with its smooth vibrato. Thanks, Roopa, for this great presentation. I am from Assam.

[@jitendrapandey176]

I have watched this almost 10 times 🙂

[@deepakbhatt8401]

Rupa Sister I like your veena vadan. I love music.Really You are Great for me.very Nice. please make more videos.

[@luigibeatrice7857]

Super interesting! Thank you

[@s5utu]

Such an absolutely superb and accomplished musician RoopaJi 👏 🙏🏽

[@drutgat2]

In addition to what Roopa was saying about the structure of a raag/raga, it is a fascinating cultural experience to attend an Indian Classical Music concert - one which I highly recommend. I am talking about seeing a performer in the context of a concert put on by one of the many 'societies'/organizations devoted to Sangeet (vocals, dance and instrumental music) which are to be found all over the world. I have attended so many of these concerts, through the organization of which I am a member, that I find it strange to see Indian Classical Music performed in a predominantly Western context (e.g., with an audience that is not familiar with things such as the audience calling out their approval at various times).

[@alurnataraj3915]

Very instructive

[@speeluh]

Great video. I learned a lot.

[@amrith_gn9862]

guitar: instrument of romance and passion sitar :- instrument of feelings (spirituality )

[@amrith_gn9862]

@@musicworship4520 guitar It is recognized as a primary instrument in genres such as blues, bluegrass, country, flamenco, folk, jazz, jota, mariachi, metal, punk, reggae, rock, soul, and pop. And sitar is a traditional instrument and we can play most of the music types . In this video the sitar changes our mood that's what I meant by feelings and that feeling dosent mean it's love it's the spirituality which u told. But ha sitar sounds best in indian classical music . And guitar in western . So u can't compare them , I compared them with the feelings we get by listening to it

[@PrabhuramSundaram]

I wish this conversation went on for very long

[@SnoW-wc2rw]

Jaw fucking dropping phenomenal sitar player I got so inspired

[@bh69videa]

what amazing skills ! Both of them

[@ilovegurusahib]

This is a brilliant video in many ways. Melodical Differences can be heard live on top of that Sitar sounds deep and full of life. 🎸 on the other hand is more of a light music instrument. Nothing against 🎸 in anyway. I love both instruments. She is amazing at what she is doing. I am glad you chose one of the best suitar players in the world to demonstrate it. Thanks

[@k2s3p]

What a wonderful video.

[@aagantuk7370]

Two excellent artists.

[@zazaa124]

Fabulous channel, performers and music

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you for watching! Please subscribe to keep up with all of our releases.

[@percussionz]

How she played the Sitar in Teen Taal (16th note cycle) was mesmerizing

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you!

[@jeetjeet6439]

That was mesmerizing

[@rajarshisanyal2784]

Loved it♥️

[@prabhakargundlapalli393]

Very good Lec-Dem. 👍👏

[@JacobDFerguson]

Awesome video!

[@StopFear]

It is quite tight. Thank you.

[@sanjeawaut]

What a lovely combination ❤❤❤

[@SudeshChouhan]

I don't know why but when i hear Sitar sound then I feel so relaxed n become stress free

[@ShubhMishraofficial]

Omg it's outstanding 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Aasmraudio]

sitar have so much feel in its sound... and guiter sounds exotic.

[@cliveanderson4150]

I love this

[@patriciamensuelle4276]

I love it.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thanks for the wonderful feedback on this video.

[@sachinnautiyal9628]

The way she is explaining is heaven in itself ..

[@satyapadma3326]

They are many great and dynamic musicians in the world.I do bow and respect all of them,but there are only a handfull of them who can touch your heart and soul.Roopa Panesar is one of them,very great dynamic and divine gem who has that art of touching people's heart and soul with her divine music.

[@loboserpiente]

Ropa Panesar is beautiful

[@quiet7632]

So?

[@namanvats9547]

Beautiful