This might be interesting, if just for fun.
Since until now no song has come up upon which "Wakefield on a Green"
might be based, and as it follows more the "treble and ground" playing
without a song in the background, this fine piece is obviously under
suspicion of Indian influence.
Anyway, I have made two mashups with Le Poème Harmonique and
a) The Gundecha Brothers singing the old Raga Megh composition by Tansen
(I used the ending)
b) Vidyadhar Vyas singing a condensed version of what is generally
considered as typical Raga Megh
The following things are noticeable:
a) There is a distinct phrase and rhythm in the raga that is recurring,
resembling the Ground by John Johnson
b) the rhythm chosen for this raga is fitting in both recordings
(though Indians are masters of obscuring the true rhythm pattern - that
what makes it actually interesting, and is brought to attention by
contrasting it to the steady European style)
c) many of the variation patterns are very similar in style
Unfortunately, there are slight tempo fluctuations, but you get the gist.
https://soundcloud.com/tristan-von-neumann/john-johnson-wakefield-on-a-green-raga-megh-gundecha-brothers
https://soundcloud.com/tristan-von-neumann/john-johnson-wakefilde-on-a-green-raga-megh-vidyadhar-vyas
I still would be interested in any cooperation of lutists and Indian
musicians, seriously.
If you don't think it's direct influence, consider it some kind of
musical universalia.
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