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LISA SANGITA MOSKOW
 
"Using her years of classical training on the sarod as a foundation, 
Lisa Moskow takes the North Indian 25-string lute into original 
byways of her musical imagination, constantly inventing new 
contexts for the unique sliding, bending,droning tones that sing 
from her instrument. Brilliant recent recordings include collaborations 
with sound sculptor Robert Rich (Yearning) and flutist/clarinetist 
Hermann Buhler and percussionist Geoffrey Gordon (Sojourn)." 
                   --Derk Richardson SF Bay Guardian 
  

    Composer/sarod player Lisa Sangita Moskow has gained international recognition for her innovative work with the sarod, a 25-stringed lute from North India.  She has spent several decades creating original compositions and bringing together unusual ensembles for this instrument. She has performed extensively throughout Europe, Mexico, and the U.S.

    SONGWRITING

    TRANCE CHANTING WITH SANGITA

    Sangita draws from a variety of sacred traditions - among them Hindustani, Sufi, Native American and Pagan. She accompanies the songs with electric sarod, a lute from India. Her music is influenced by her extensive training with Ali Akbar Khan, her own Native American and Appalachian heritage, and her world travels.

    Sangita's workshop is a co-created journey into sacred sound. Starting with traditional chants from around the world, the music transitions into improvisational play.

    YAKSHI is Lisa's latest collaboration, with guitarist Mihai Manoliu. Yakshi's debut release March 03 has led to a 2003 concert series featuring their music (CA, OR, HI). 

     
    Lisa Sangita has five releases on her Casting Spells Music Company label.  These Still Waters combines the Japanese shakuhachi and hichiriki (flute and oboe) of Genji Ito with sarod. Sojourn showcases the world  music/jazz compositions of Moskow and clarinetist/ flautist Hermann Buhler; they are accompanied by percussionist Geoffrey Gordon on tabla (drums from India). 
 
      Songs for Sarod, a collection of 2-part pieces for sarod, presents a unique context for Moskow's modal and harmonic ideas.  Passages from India contains her melodies and improvisations in the classical Indian format.  Rites of the Dolphin is a collaboration of the sarod with piano and cello.  Yearning, the combined effort of sound sculptor Robert Rich and Lisa Moskow, is available on the Hearts of Space/ Fathom label. 
 
    Lisa Sangita Moskow has developed a new genre of sarod composition using non-traditional tunings and techniques.  These pieces incorporate vocalizations and lyrics.  They draw heavily from the scales, rhythms, and structures of North Indian classical music, but also from the musics of Indonesia, Japan, the Middle East, and Europe. She performs these pieces both as a soloist and with a variety of accompanying instruments including harp, cello, guitar, didgeridoo, and hand percussion. 

    Moskow has won two awards from ASCAP, and has been a member of MOSAIC -- a San Francisco Bay Area composer group, since 1991.  She makes regular appearances on radio and TV, and has worked in film, theater, dance, and multimedia productions. 

 
    For further information, contact: 
    Casting Spells Music Company  
    2126 5th Avenue 
    San Rafael, CA 94901 
    (415)457-4754 (phone and fax)