5d (edited) • General discussion
Jean-Pierre Rampal and Indian music
Deeply curious about non-Western traditions, Rampal was especially drawn to music from India, which he admired for its melodic subtlety, rhythmic sophistication, and spiritual depth.
Rampal developed a warm artistic relationship with Ravi Shankar, whose global collaborations helped introduce Indian classical music to Western audiences. Rampal often spoke of how Indian raga concepts—long-form melodic development, microtonal inflection, and expressive ornamentation—influenced his own phrasing and sense of musical time.
He also collaborated and associated with L. Subramaniam, one of India’s great violin virtuosos, who similarly bridged Indian classical music and Western classical traditions. Through these interactions, Rampal became part of a broader East-West dialogue that included figures such as Yehudi Menuhin and George Harrison, all united by a respect for India’s ancient musical systems.
Rather than imitating Indian instruments, Rampal absorbed the spirit of Indian music—its fluidity, meditative focus, and rhythmic vitality—allowing it to subtly reshape Western flute performance and inspire generations of flutists to look beyond borders for musical growth.
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Jean-Pierre Rampal and Indian music
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Especially for flutists wh want to broaden their range of expression to include the rich traditions of Music of India.
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