About The Fluid Piano
Utsav Lal released The Fluid Piano on July 1, 2016. The album is an official studio recording. It was issued in CD format.
Utsav Lal performs on the fluid piano, an instrument designed by British inventor Geoff Smith. The fluid piano allows microtonal adjustments during performance, enabling Lal to adapt the instrument to Indian classical intonation. The album explores the intersection of Indian classical music and Western keyboard traditions.
The release contains four tracks. The first track, "Raga Todi," presents a morning raga in the Hindustani classical tradition. Lal interprets the raga with alap, jor, and jhala sections, emphasizing the fluid piano’s capacity for nuanced pitch bending. The second track, "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram," is a devotional bhajan. Lal arranges the composition with rhythmic variations and melodic ornamentation.
The third track, "Raga Bageshri," features a late-evening raga. Lal structures the performance with a slow, meditative alap followed by a faster gat in teental. The final track, "Panihari (Water Lady)," is a folk-inspired piece. Lal incorporates elements of Rajasthani folk music, using the fluid piano to mimic traditional instruments like the morchang and sarangi.
The album does not list a record label. The release date coincides with the public launch event held on July 1, 2016. The tracklist provided in the context includes all compositions on the album.