| Celebrating the Iranian New Year, Nowruz | ||||||||
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C e l e b r a t i on of
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Shahriar Saleh: He has been teaching, recording, archiving and
performing Persian Classical music for the last thirty years while working as
a project manager with NIH. He plays the authentic hammer dulcimer,
Santur. NAVA has been talented enough to have performed on the Millennium
Stage of the Kennedy Center for the last three consecutive years.
Dr. Ali Analouei: A Project Manager at G.S.A., is a well-known
percussionist. He has supported many Iranian orchestras with his powerful and
wonderful single drum, Tombak. He has an exceptional talent and ability
to produce a vast arrey of beats and sounds out of this very unique and simple
instrument. He has taught this instrument for years and has produced some
excellent recordings.
Dr. Houshang Hodjati: As a practicing physician, a gifted painter,
and a physicist, he has a vast knowledge of Persian art. He has a wonderful
voice and has performed in many cultural and academic circles. He has
published a book on accoustics and the Iranian music, as well as some great
recordings.
Elaheh Amiri: Ms. Elaheh Amiri is a very talented choreographer,
and an accomplished Iranian Studies scholar who performs a classic dance
inspired by Maanee's Paintings. Maanee has been called the clairvoyant
of peace: a physician and predictor who established the doctorin of
Maanavee in third millennium B.C. or around 1,800 years ago in Persia;
and was inspired by teachings of Mithraism, Zoroaster, Jesus Christ,
and Buddah. The selected music "Mom-e-Vatan" is composed by Avizheh Ensemble.
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Persian music is based on twelve principal modal systems: seven primary
systems called Dastgahs and five secondary systems called Sub
Dastgahs or Avaz. Each system is divided into a series of
melodic sequences linked to each other in an unresolved continuity.
These sequences are called Gusheh and their number varies
depending on the Dastgah. Each Dastgah or Avaz
constitutes a specific scale having three distinct notes: (a) Shahed
(witness or root note), regarded as the tonal or modal center of the
Dastgah (Key); (b) Eest (rest note), a temporary rest place
for the melodies before as they gradually incline; and (c) Moteghayer
(the variable note), which produces expressive colors. The entire group
of the systems taken together constitutes the repertoire of Classical Persian
Music or Radeef a word that means arrangement and order. Most of
Radeef has no meter and follows a speech-like rhythm, but it also
contains rhythmic pieces that normally have drum accompaniments.
The compositions are mostly based on the Radeefs. They include a
Peesh Daramad, sometimes stately or lively piece, as the introduction
of the Dastgah played by an ensemble in unison; the
Chahar-Mezrab a virtuoso solo number with driving rhythm; the
Tasneef (a lyrical song) and a Reng a dance-like piece
usually in 6/8 meter.
Dastgah of Mahur is chosen for this performance.
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Special thanks and much gratitude to Yas bakery of Virginia, Yasaman Bakery and Classic Bakery of Maryland for providing a wonderful assortment of cookies and sweets for tonight's Program. This event is free and open to the public. |
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