Skip to content
STAGE+

Composer

Edmund Rubbra

1901 — 1986

Albums

Rubbra & Bliss: Piano Concertos (Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto 81)
Piers Lane, The Orchestra Now, Leon Botstein
Rubbra & Walton: Viola Concertos
Lawrence Power, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ilan Volkov
English Music for Oboe
Sarah Francis, Peter Dickinson, The Rasumovsky Quartet
Shakespeare's Kingdom: Song Settings from Schubert to Britten
Sarah Walker, Graham Johnson

Overview of the ECM New Series Anthology

The ECM New Series Anthology is a compilation album released in 1989, showcasing works by a range of artists associated with ECM Records—an influential label known for its cross-genre blend of contemporary classical, jazz, and world music. Among the featured artists is Lakshminarayana Shankar, often known simply as Shankar. His contributions to the label and the anthology are highlighted by his innovative blending of Indian classical elements and Western improvisatory forms. The anthology is part of the "STAGE+" series, which presents an immersive collection of Shankar's work that will leave you enthralled.

Shankar’s Featured Works

Song For Everyone

"Song For Everyone" is one of Shankar’s standout recordings for ECM. This mesmerizing composition leaves an unexplainable impact and sweeps you into a realm built by imaginative chords and soulful tunes. It was originally released as an album featuring Shankar (double violin), Jan Garbarek (saxophone), Zakir Hussain (tabla), and Trilok Gurtu (percussion). This piece appears in the ECM New Series Anthology, capturing the collaborative and genre-defying spirit of ECM.

Vision

"Vision" is another work featured on the anthology, performed by Shankar with saxophonist Jan Garbarek and trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg. Like much of Shankar’s ECM output, this track exemplifies his ability to merge Indian classical and Western jazz/ambient traditions into a compelling, meditative soundscape.

Anthology Details

The anthology does not limit itself to classical repertoire—it bridges classical, jazz, and cross-cultural explorations. While much of the New Series on ECM spotlights classical and early music, its inclusion of works like Shankar’s illustrates the label’s boundary-blurring philosophy. Other artists on the compilation include Kim Kashkashian, Thomas Demenga, Paul Giger, and Paul Hillier, with selections ranging from Bach to contemporary composers, further underlining the wide stylistic range. Shankar’s presence in the anthology is not limited to a single genre, reflecting both his versatility and ECM’s curatorial vision.

The Triumph of Artistic Collaboration

The triumph of artistic collaboration is witnessed in the brilliance of Shankar's work with Jan Garbarek and Palle Mikkelborg. The synergetic compositions echo resounding elements of breathtaking creativity and skilful arrangement. This one-of-a-kind musical journey bridges the divide between Western and Indian classical music, unraveling a universe yet to be discovered by many.

Conclusion

Experience this soul-stirring, melodious journey with Shankar's captivating works on the ECM New Series Anthology. This is a must-listen for all music enthusiasts who thrive on the magic of beautiful harmonies and passionate melodies. Dive into a world of melodic wonders with Shankar!