Persian Autumn: piano music by Farhat and Tafreshipour
Both enjoying successful and acclaimed international reputations, the two Iranian composers here represent two generations of musicians trained in the West. Hormoz Farhat, born in 1928, was the first Iranian to study music in the USA, taking classes with Darius Milhaud, Lukas Foss and Roy Harris. He worked at UCLA for many years before returning to Iran. His music is in many genres and has been performed in the USA and throughout Europe. His two substantial piano sonatas are major contributions to the genre.
Amir Mahyar Tafreshipour (b.1974) carries on this tradition and studied in the UK and Denmark, where his new opera is to due to be premiered in December 2020 subject to lockdown restrictions being eased. His work draws on Persian influences and subjects in a truly cosmopolitan way, demonstrated well by the pieces on this album.
Mary Dullea enjoys a very busy career as a soloist and chamber musician and regularly performs and broadcasts in many countries. Her discography is exceptional and demonstrates her support and championing of new music. Her pianism and musicality as well as remarkable virtuosity make her an ideal interpreter.
This recording was made with support from Koda’s Cultural Funds. KODA KULTUR.
Track Listing
-
Hormoz Farhat (b.1928):
- Toccata (3:34)
- Piano Sonata No. 1 - I. Allegretto, maestoso (3:28)
- Piano Sonata No. 1 - II. Adagio con finezza (3:55)
- Piano Sonata No. 1 - III. Moderato (2:51)
- Piano Sonata No. 1 - IV. Rondo (4:23)
- Piano Sonata No. 2 - I. Allegretto (10:57)
- Piano Sonata No. 2 - II. Largo con molto espressione e flessibilità (6:22)
- Piano Sonata No. 2 - III. Molto animato (5:48) Amir Mahyar Tafeshipour (b.1974):
- Yasna (9:05)
- Shabahang (7:02)
- Pendar for piano (9:25)
- Celebration at Pasargadae (5:45)
Reviews
“All of this music is marked by a seriousness of purpose that demands concentration… they make a strong impression. Mary Dullea is one of our most reliable contemporary music pianists, and as usual, she per¬forms this repertoire with virtuosity, commitment, and imagination. Warmly recommended.
” —Peter J. Rabinowitz
“How refreshing…West meets East, for despite Farhat’s mastery of Iranian traditional music, these ([Farhat’s works]) are effectively Western-style pieces with hints of Persian spice. Amir Mahyar Tafreshipour retains associations with ancient Iran in his music chiefly through the subject matter… affinities with Boulezian and Messiaenic modernism. Those interested in East-West encounters in the piano repertoire owe Dullea a sizeable debt for keeping this music alive.
” —Michelle Assay
“We’re always glad to see Mary Dullea’s name on a CD; she’s usually tackling modern music, but she always interprets it well.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“Recommended? Yes. This is music which inquiring listeners and pianists alike should certainly find worth investigation. It helps that Dullea is so attuned to the musical idioms of these composers as also their technical demands.
” —Richard Whitehouse
“Mary Dullea clearly is in total sympathy with the language of each composer. A fascinating and courageous release… an impressive achievement.
” —Gary Higginson
“Intriguing new collection of piano pieces. The [Farhat] sonata would sit comfortably alongside music by Bartok or Prokofiev. [Tafreshipour’s works] show a considerable depth to one of Iran’s and the modern world’s lesser-known, younger-generation composers.
” —Stuart Millson
“A fascinating contemporary canon… bombast and whimsy with the odd Lisztian flourish…. quizzical collections of acute angles and irregular shapes that Dullea colours beautifully.
” —John Lewis
“Mary Dullea catches all the moods very well indeed. Certainly the music on this CD will be unfamiliar to practically all listeners, but there are elements of interest throughout the disc… genuinely intriguing.
” —Mark J. Estren
“The music is very interesting and Dullea plays it with passion and drive. I really liked Farhat’s music and Dullea’s playing.
” —Lynn Bayley
![Don't miss Ryan de Ryke and Daniel Schlosberg's recording of “Looking to Euridice” from Doug Lofstrom's song cycle, “Myths and Accidents” in @Deezer's top Classical New Release picks playlist! [in bio]](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/548897030_18290642122283342_3529111172261449990_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=GnlFupjblB0Q7kNvwFNQ9Fc&_nc_oc=AdlKfYAX0HRy4s1JuLamt25zY-fS5LNMzdIpM5fBqYTiHXfJrj7skKYLgxi8pPEJl6A&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=TFtoUwnOFAKDLz0glkCpvA&oh=00_AfZ9aMCjQI7naMcEPXR6dV_lsol1K-TwIpwET1LI-i2_4g&oe=68CF2E94)
