The Art of Improvisation in Persian Classical Music Live in Concert HOSSEIN ALIZADEH PEJMAN HADADI PRESS KIT About Monad MONAD brings the collaborative affiliation of two exceptional contemporary masters of Per- sian classical music – the legendary tar and setar composer and performer Hossein Alizadeh, together with the world-renowned percussionist of tombak and daf, Pejman Hadadi. Both are highly adept in the radif repertoire - the collection of ancient Iranian melodic phrases preser- ved through many generations of oral tradition. Combined with their respective sensibilities from Western and other world music traditions, they produce a uniquely contemporary appro- ach to their traditional arrangements. Their deep and personal relationship of many years further augments the intimate and synchronous dialogue between the two and their instru- ments. Audience members, whether experienced or novice in the art of traditional Iranian music, are invited to surrender to the full experience of MONAD and its 'haal' - a term central to the art of improvisation in Persian music, which refers to being present to…fully immersed in…or even getting totally lost in the heart of the feeling and spirit of the performers. Being witness to the impressive quality of these highly accomplished masters leads those present on a mys- tical journey through some of the most distinguished artistry in the world. 2 3 4 Hossein Alizadeh 5 Hossein Alizadeh Hossein Alizadeh is one of Iran‘s leading classical composers and musicians and is considered one of the most important figures in contemporary Persian music today. The 2006 Grammy Nominee is oftentimes referred to as the Ravi Shankar of Iran. A virtuosic player of the Persi- an tar, Persian setar and Azeri tar, Alizadeh has continued to extend the musical traditions of classical Persian music, continuously pushing the boundaries of convention to bring a modern interpretation to an ancient tradition. Alizadeh earned a bachelor‘s degree in music composition and performance from the School of Music at the University of Tehran, and a graduate degree from the University of Fine Arts in Tehran. He has taught at the University of Tehran and the Tehran Music Conservatory. He was the conductor and soloist in the Iranian National Orchestra of Radio and Television, establis- hed the acclaimed Aref Ensemble, and worked with the Shayda Ensemble. His European experience began with the orchestra of the Bejart Ballet Company in Germa- ny. Later he studied composition and musicology at the University of Berlin. Alizadeh is the founding member of the Hamavayan Ensemble, started in 1989 to bring a new approach to classical Persian music. Composed of some of the best-known performers of Iranian 6 instruments and vocalists, this ensemble has produced many of Alizadeh‘s compositions including New Secret, Gabbeh, Songs of Compassion, Endless Vision, Ode to Flowers and Birthplace of Earth. Some of Alizadeh‘s most noted works are The Nava Improvisations (1976), Riders of the Plains of Hope (1977), Hesar (1977), Revolt (1983), Ney Nava (1983), Dream (1986), Tor- kaman (1986), Raz-O-Niaz (1986), Delshodegan (1987), Song of Compassion (1991), New Secret (1996), A Time for Drunken Horses (2000), Turtles can Fly (2004), Endless Vision (2004), Nive Mang (2006), Under the Razor (2007) and Ode to Flowers (2007). "Alizadeh is a player of extraordinary technique and passion, for sure, but more importantly a visionary with an eye toward the redefinition of classical Persian music."– LA WEEKLY "Alizadeh won a standing ovation from the audience simply for walking on." – DAVID HONIGMANN, THE LONDON TIMES 7 8 Pejman Hadadi 9 Pejman Hadadi Pejman Hadadi is world-renowned as one of the most innovative Iranian percussionists of the tombak and daf frame drum from Iran today. A two-time recipient of the prestigious Dur- fee Foundation Master Musician Award, he is the founder of Neyreez World Music Institute in Southern California. He began playing Tombak at the age of ten with master musicians Asadollah Hejazi and Bahman Rajabi. In 1989, he immigrated to the United States and began his professional career, performing and recording with ensembles of Persian classical music as well as Indian, Turkish and Ame- rican musicians. Pejman is known for his modern approach to the traditional tombak, which lies in his ability to produce melodic patterns within rhythmic structures as well as creating complex variations on the basic sounds of the instrument. He has been a member of the celebrated Dastan Ensemble for more than ten years and was one of the founding members of the highly acclaimed ZARBANG Ensemble. He has also written a number of compositions for dance, and has been the resident composer and percus- sionist with Banafsheh Sayyad and NAMAH since 1998. 10 He has recorded and performed with an impressive list of premier musicians including Hos- sein Alizadeh, Shahram Nazeri, Homayoun Shajarian, Parisa, Sima Bina, Salar Aghili, Ali Akbar Moradi, Ardeshir Kamkar, Nejati Celik, Halil Karadoumon, Yair Dalal and Imamyar Hasanov. Hadadi has toured extensively in North America, Canada, Europe, Iran and Japan, performing in multiple major international festivals and concert halls. Some of his recordings include Call To Love (2008), Monad (2008) Persian and Middle Eastern Percussion (2005), Golestan (2005), Gol-e Behesht (2005), Shurideh (2004), Rengineh (2004), Journey To Persia (2002), Whisper (2001), Midnight Sun (2000), Fire of Passion (1999), A Tale of Love (1999) and Th- rough Eternity (1997). "Hadadi was clearly a virtuoso, coaxing speech from his frame drum by tickling, teasing, tapping, palming, plucking, strumming, slapping, chopping, knuckling, and touching his drum in every conceivable way. The variety of timbres he achieved from playing a single drum was astounding, and the quickness with which his fingers whipped across the drum‘s head and scurried over its rim was staggering." - JEREMY SISKIND, DOOBEEDOOBEEDOO, NY 11 Discography Hossein Alizadeh Pedagogical Works Solo | Duets | Trio An Elementary Radif for the Tar and Setar Monad (Aan-o-Aan) (3rd Book) Dastgah-e Homayun An Instruction Manual For the Setar Chahargah and Bayat-e Tork Radif Navazi Nava Radif of Mirza Abdollah Soundtracks & Orchestral Ensemble Ney-Nava Shurangiz Delshodegane Avaz-e Bayat-e Tork, Dastgah-e Shur Gabbeh Raz-o-Niaz From Eons Ago Sheida and Aref Ensemble Film Music Faryad Turtles Can Fly Under the Cutting Blade World Music Records Half Moon (Nive Mang) Bi Hamegan Besar Shavad The Novel Mystry Books Faryad Ten Pieces for Tar Soroode-e-Mehr Elementary Radif for Tar and Setar (3rd Book) Ode to Flowers Buse-ha-ye Baran For more Info see: www.hosseinalizadeh.net Discography Pejman Hadadi Instrumental | Duets | Trio Solo Silent Journey, 2013 Clouds (Abr-haa), 2008, Tombak Solo One Day, 2013 In Sare Soda-ie 2013 Ensemble Mass Of Colors, 2012 Release (Rahaa-ie Dar AAb), 2008 Sound Of My Soul, 2012 Monad (Aan-O Aan), 2008 To The Memory Of Ostad Shahnazi, 2012 Call To Love (Baang-e-Mehr), 2008 From Stone Passage To Dawn, 2011 to Diamond (Az Sang Ta Almaas), 2007 In The Footprints Of Rumi, 2011 Sadee Naameh, On HozeyeHonari, 2007 If Like Birds And Angles, I could Fly…, 2011 Endless Ocean (Daryaa-ye Bi Paayaan), 2006 A Call Beneath The Ashes, 2010 Being in Love, 2010 Loolian, on Avay-e novin, 2006 Alast, 2010 Epiphany, on Rhythm Pulse, 2005 Naghmeye Khabgard, 2005 with Zarbang Ensemble Persian and Middle Eastern Percussion, 2005 In The Name Of TheRed Rose, 2009 | 2010 Golestan, on DU STORE VERDEN, 2005 Gheyzhak-e Koeli, on Del- Avaz Records, 2008 Gol-e Behesht, on Network Medien GMBH, 2005 Khorshide Arezoo, on Del- Avaz Records, 2008 Shurideh, on Network Medien GMBH, 2004 Rengineh, 2004 with ZARBANG For more Info see: www.pejmanhadadi.com 14 15 Press Hossein Alizadeh and Pejman Hadadi Live in Concert in New York Excerpt: Maestro Hossein Alizadeh, the Iranian Tar and Setar virtuoso, and Pejman Hadadi, one of the most innovative Iranian percussionists, will be in New York for a unique musical event. ...more OTHERMUSICS Hossein Alizadeh and Pejman Hadadi - Monad OTHERMUSICS Appreciation of Music From Other Worlds, March 18, 2011 Excerpt: Throughout Monad we can easily hear why Alizadeh is considered to be one of the foremost Setar players alive; his playing is consistently overwhelming, ranging from moments of intimate and profound subtlety to furious intensity. He is complemented by Hadadi‘s equally impressive Tombak; its fl ourishes succinctly supporting the Setar‘s phra- ses, teasing out their fl avor with rhythmic nuance. - Fíacha O‘Dúbhda (fRoots Magazine) ...more 16 DooBeeDooBeeDoo NY, Jeremy Siskind, February 3, 2013 Excerpt: "The music was egoless, uninhibited, meditative, and spiritual. My experience proved so fulfi lling that it left me wondering why the West has failed to celebrate music- making as a spiritual exercise in the same way as Eastern traditions." ...more Music Djivan Gasparyan & Hossein Alizâdeh, Barbican, London London Financial Times, David Honigmann, September 20, 2012 Excerpt: "Cross-legged on a carpet with his setar, he played phrases and their own echoes, ornamenting his ornamentations until the instrument sang stories within stories." ...more 17 Additional Acclaim Alizadeh is a master sorcerer ... a veritable improvisational alchemist. | LA WEEKLY Hossein Alizadeh is one of the foremost setar players alive. | FROOTS MAGAZINE Hossein Alizadeh is considered an inspiration to an entire generation of Iran‘s musical culture. | ARTS BOSTON Hossein Alizadeh Tar and Setar genius, contemporary musician, and composer involved in Western as well as traditional Iranian music. | RICHARD O NIDEL, WORLD MUSIC Meanwhile, Alizadeh‘s right hand was a whirlwind of ferocious fingerpicking. They finally built to a raga-inflected dance, Alizadeh firing off a series of descending progressions that would have been right at home in the Ravi Shankar songbook. |A DEL RUE, LUCID CULTURE …absolutely inspiring… | ClIFF FURNALD, CMJ …highly charged and invigorating… | TODD MICHEL MCCOMB 18 Additional Acclaim Pejman Hadadi tapped his fingertips on his tombak and flicked his nails as if striking a match.