F E A T U R E D M U S I C
N E W S
E V E N T S
M A Y
4
tba
S E P
27
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April 2014
Kazem Davoudian's music is now joining iTunes and dozens of other digital distribution!
M U S I C
All available now as a download at iTunes, BandCamp, Spotify, Google Play, & Deezer or as CD at Amazon
"Asmar"
Asmar beautifully demonstrates Kazem's ability to weave traditional Persian/Iranian music into Western orchestration and orchestral instruments. Polyphonic harmony is dressed in folklore melodies and motifs giving rise to memorable yet more elaborate structures.
"Art of Improvisation"
Art of Improvisation puts emphasis on Kazem's mastery of the Santur. This is a completely live recording exhibiting the composer's technique. Kazem expands on the Persian Dastgah through a minor type of mode known as Shur.
"Iran"
Iran is an exquisite example of pure Persian/Iranian traitional music. The compositions are performed on indigenous, national instruments and Kazem is able to challenge and expand on traditional orchestrations.
"Tradition & Intuition"
Tradition & Intuition is a full-on improvised live concert, expressed through flexible rhythmic variations and reinterpretations of Persian classical music. The idiom of the Dastgah system is embelished through a new way of spontaneous creation.
"Pearl"
Pearl puts a new perspective on Persian classical music. Santur and various native Persian percussion like Daf, Dohol, and Tombak take you on an improvisational journey through unique interpretations of the ancient art music.
B I O G R A P H Y
Kazem Davoudian received his BA degree in music from University of Tehran, College of Music and Dramatic Arts, in 1980. His performance skills were enriched by the notable teachers Esmaeel Tehrani (Santur) and Bahman Rajabi (Tonbak). His has also studied under supervision of renowned composers such as Kambiz Roshan-Ravan, Shahin Farhat and Mostafa Kamal Pourtorab. During the years 1983-1989 he dedicated much of his time to composing music. He was commissioned to write a number of works for the Tehran Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Tehran by the Iranian National Radio and Television. These include: The Mystery of Life, Asmar, and Shorydeh; to name a few. Soundtrack for the movie “Grand Cinema” and “Think of the Kind Mountain” (A documentary by Khosro Sinaei) are among his other works. After migrating to the United States he has continued contributing to the growth and development of Persian Music through performing, composing and teaching. He toured the U.S. and Canada with Hossein Alizadeh and the Dastan Ensemble in 1991. Since then he formed Haftahang Music Center and conducted master classes in many Universities in the U.S.
His recent activities include a number of solo performances and conducting his Orchestral works performed by various Ensembles in places such as Wolftrap, Masonic National Memorial Theater and The Kennedy Center in Washington metropolitan area. He has released 4 albums and his composition on a poem by “Nima Youchidje” for vocalist Mohammad-Reza Shajarian is to be released soon.
O V E R V I E W O F W O R K S
For symphonic orchestra and choir
1. Rebirth, 1985
2. The resurrection of the flowers, 1985
3. A piece in Shur and Dashti, along with traditional instruments, 1986
4. “Varsaaghi”, based on a Turkman folk melody, 1986
5. “Raaz-e Hayaat”, commissioned by the Iranian Department of Agriculture, 1987
6. Endeavor, 1988
7. Requiem, 1988
8. Epic, 1996
For strings, woodwind, and percussion
1. Fugue for string quartet, 1983
2 .Canon for violin and cello, 1983
3. Autumn, for strings, 1986
4. Duet for tar and santoor, based on the folk melody “juni juni”, 1984
5. Santur duo in Shoor
6. “Kaayer”, with vocals, based on a folk melody from Mazandaraan, 1994
7. “Shoorideh”, in Dashti, 1995
8. “Asmar”, based on a folk melody from Kermaanshah, 1995
9. “Faraaz”, 1997
10. “Payvand”, quintet for piano, violin, flute, guitar, and cello, 1997
11. An arrangement of an old song “cheshm-e mast”, with vocals by Mohammad Reza Shajarian (to be published), 1998
12. Nima, based on a poem by Iranian modernist poet Nima Yushij, with vocals by Mohammad Reza Shajarian (to be published), 1998
13. A piece in Dashti, with vocals by Mohammad Reza Shajarian (to be published), 1998
14. Old Tasneef (“Beh Teegh Am Garzanee”), strings & vocal, 1998
15. Not yet named (?), strings, wind, vocals, 1998
16. Earthquake, dedicated to the victims of the earthquake in Northern Iran, 1990
17. Duo for Tombak (percussion), 1993
18. Nava, strings, santoors, tars, choir, 2005
19. “Kabookey”, strings & santoor, 2005
20. “Elation”, few movements for santoor & strings, 2005
21. “Nooreh Del” (Heart's light), santoor, strings, vocals, 2005
22. “Haft Darrya”, strings, santoor, vocals, based on poet Rumi, 2007
23. “Zendengi Zeebust”, strings, winds, santoor, tar, oud, percussion, vocals, 2008
24. Not yet named (?), strings & winds, 2011
25. “Gol Maryam”, strings, santoor, 2012
26. “Changeh Roodaakey”, re-arrangement of santoor, strings, tar, vocal, 2012
27. “Siabrun”, arrangement for Persian folk melody, 2013
Film music
1. Grand Cinema, a film by Hassan Hedayat, 1988
2. Think of the Gentle Mountains, a documentary by Khosrow Sinai, 1995
Music for children
1. The dog and the bone, 1984
2. Water and moonlight, 1984
3. Popular music for the youth, 1984
4. “Birds”, 2009
For traditional Persian ensemble
1. Chaharmezrab, in Bidaad, 1998
2. A polyphonic piece in Dashti, 1898
3. “Serr-e del”, with vocals, in Chahaargaah, 1998
4. Joneh Jahan (Shoor), arrangement for students, 2004
5. Chahar Mizrabeh Segah, 2007
6. “Dar farogh Eshgh” (Love's Exile), 2008
7. A piece for duet santoor, 2008
8. “Jomeh jon” in (Segah), 2008
9. “Ashehghon” (Segah), 2008
10. “Majnoon”, based on Poet Rumi, 2010
11. “Goleh Pomchal”, arrangement for student, santoor & tar, 2011
12. Chahaargaah mizrabeh Mahoor, 2012
13. A piece in Mahoor, for Santoor & Kamencheh, 2012
14. Chahaargaah mizrabeh Hosseini (Shoor), 2013
15. “Leyla” (Shoor), arrangement of Persian folk melody, 2013
16. “Mehraabani” arrangement based on Poet Rumi, 2013
17. “Mohsem Gol”, arrangement on Persian folk melody, 2013
18. “Banoojon”, arrangement on Persian folk melody, 2013
19. Sehmizrab Abu-Ata, santoor, 2013
Hybrid Western & Eastern Instruments
1. “Beshnoo az Ney”, santoor & harmonica, violin, viola, cello, 2007
2. “Baaroon, barooneh” for santoor & cello arrangement of Persian folk melody, 2010
3. “Heyrati”, arrangement for azari music, santoor & garmon, 2013