Faryad (Masters of Persian Music)

Album review

From 2000 to 2010, four of Iran’s most talented musicians united in an ensemble to showcase their talent throughout Europe and the United States, thus promoting Persian classical music in the West in the most beautiful way possible. Mohammad-Reza Shajarian’s voice is the utmost contemporary reference for all who practice or enjoy Radif (traditional repertoire of classical music). Hossein Alizâdeh is a great master of tar, the long-necked lute at the core of Persian music. Kayhan Kalhor masters the bow of his kamāncheh viol like no other. And last but not least, Homayoun Shajarian, faithful disciple of his father, plays on the tonbak and assists in singing. Released in 2003, Faryad (The Cry) is a live recording edited in the studio, which faithfully reflects the brilliance of this meeting at the highest level. This mix of improvisations and compositions by Shajarian, Kalhor and Alizâdeh is based on classical (Hafez, Saadi) and contemporary (Akhavan Sales, Kadkani, Moshiri) Persian poems as well as the works of one of the very few female Persian poets, Táhirih, who lived and was murdered in the 19th century. Strings are plucked or skimmed by the bow, the skins are banged on, each instrumentalist revealing his magic without encroaching on the territory of other musicians and magnifying the singing part with delicate verses carried high and far by sumptuous melodies. For an hour and a half of musical acrobatics and beautiful harmonics, time stands still, letting emotions roll out like benevolent waves originating in the dawn of time and breaking at our feet. © BM/Qobuz