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The compositions recorded here span almost five decades and are an expression of my inspired and joyous attempt to bring the aspects of harmony and counterpoint of Western music to the music of India’s Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, while at the same time retaining their original words and melodies. It is also the fruition of a long and beautiful time of my life with that of the Gandhi Memorial Center in Washington, D.C. Soon after its dedication in 1976, Bengali vocalists, musicians and dancers came to join with us in creating programs of Tagore’s music. Our performances were lively expressions of the bard’s own vision of mingling his (India’s) music with that of the west. We shared his songs (variously accompanied by harmonium, piano, sitar, esraj, hammered dulcimer and flute) and recitations interspersed with colorful folk dances. I look back with a profound sense of gratitude to the multitude of people who have inspired these recordings of my compositions. My most special thanks go to Srimati Kamalaji (founding Director of the Gandhi Memorial Center) for her infallible guidance over the past many years. Jeffrey H. Bauer
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