MATA Presents: Echoes of Gusan

MATA Presents: Echoes of Gusan at Carnegie Hill Concerts

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 7:30PM

Church of Advent Hope111 E. 87th StreetNew York, NY 10128

Music by Ramin Heydarbeygi and Reza Vali

Featuring:Sara Paar, Sopranoand

FLUX Quartet:Tom Chiu, Violin

Conrad Harris, Violin

Max Mandel, Viola

Felix Fan, Cello

“The new song cycle” by Ramin Heydarbeygi draws on medieval and contemporary poetry from Iran. The texts are compiled as a quasi monodrama expressing love, lust and eroticism with poetry from the ninth-century to present, including poems by Mahsati, Rabe’eh, Jahan Malek, Sanai, and, contemporary poet, Parvin Salajegheh. Sung in Persian, the song cycle is commissioned by soprano Sara Paar. Other works on the program include an earlier song cycle, “Gusan”, with poetry by, the blind poet and harpist from the ninth-century, Rudaki; and the world premiere of “Muye baray Farzin” for solo viola, a work composed during the pandemic.

Reza Vali’s works draw on music theoretical works by the great 13th century Iranian medieval music theorist Safi Al din Ormavi (also known as “Urmawi” in Turkey and “Al Urmawi” in Arabic speaking cultures). His “String Quartet No. 5, Gavesht”, and “String Quartet No. 6, Salmak” presented on this program are composed based on the tuning system and the modes found in Ormavi’s treatises on music.

PROGRAM:

Ramin Heydarbeygi

“Gusan” for soprano, violin and violoncello

String Quartet

“Muye baray Farzin” for solo viola

(world premiere)

“A new song cycle”

Commissioned by Sara Paar and made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Reza Vali

String Quartet No. 5, “Gavesht”

String Quartet No. 6, “Salmak”

Host or Publisher MATA Festival