In Absentia – music for strings
This album is important musically and culturally, presenting chamber works for strings by two leading Iranian composers. Amir Mahyar Tafreshipour specializes in music that reaches across time and place and is truly international, and he has worked with orchestras and artists in the UK, Denmark and Turkey as well as his home country. Presented here are his ‘Broken Times’ for string quartet and ‘Pendar’ for solo violin.
Fozié (or Fozieh) Majd is a remarkable composer who also writes for an international audience, having had success all around Europe in concert and with music for film. As a female living under the Iranian regime since the 1979 revolution she has spent much time teaching and collecting folk tunes from the provinces as well as promoting her works in the USA and Europe. The album includes her wonderful Dreamland Quartet and Farãghi (In Absentia) for violin and cello.
The quartet of performers is made up of four leading string players from the UK including Darragh Morgan who is also leader of the Fidelio Trio; Patrick Savage, former first violin of the Royal Philharmonic (also an acclaimed composer of film music); Fiona Winning, formerly principal viola of the RPO and in-demand freelancer; and Deirdre Cooper, currently principal cellist with l’Orchestre des jardins musicaux in Switzerland.
Track Listing
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Fozié Majd (b.1938):
- Dreamland (string quartet) - I. Lento (6:10)
- Dreamland (string quartet) - II. Delicatamente e cantado (14:46) Amir Mahyar Tafreshipour (b.1974):
- Pendar (solo violin) (6:44)
- Broken Times (string quartet) (9:38) Fozié Majd (b.1938):
- Farãghi (In Absentia) (violin and cello) - I. Mesto, molto lento (14:10)
- Farãghi (In Absentia) (for violin and cello) - II. Animato, ma non troppo allegro (6:59)
Reviews
“I imagine neither composer will be especially familiar to most readers/listeners, and this disc provides an intriguing introduction to their work. Unsurprisingly, Morgan and his colleagues perform with excellent conviction and character.
” —Carson Cooman
“Fascinating and surprising. Majd’s technical skills go hand in hand with a warmth of expression that’s winning. This disc succeeds in part because the performances are so vivid…outstanding.
” —Graham Rickson
“This is an excellent disc… subtle and arresting, mesmeric in tone, and featuring accomplished and committed performances throughout. It showcases works for strings by two acclaimed Iranian composers, and is performed with beauty, character and precision.
” —Kate Wakeling
“Combines a certain starkness with some more delicate moments – never harsh or strident. Interesting.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“An intensely serious absorption in music and the sources of its inspiration. The performances give every appearance of being devoted and skilled.
” —Rob Barnett