Kayhan Kalhor is the world's leading exponent of the kamancheh, an upright spike fiddle. Renowned for his work with Ghazal, a group that bridges Indian and Persian music, he applies a similar approach to Iranian folk and c... more »lassical forms on Night Silence Desert. The Radif (Persian classical repertoire) grew from folk forms, but over the centuries the music evolved from its simple rural origins into an elaborately ornamented and rigorously structured style. This album doesn't take the music back to its basics--there's too much refined virtuosity on display. But the musicians infuse their playing with a vigor and crisp cohesion that belies the record's fitful production. First Kalhor convened 11 strummers, drummers, and flute blowers in Tehran in 1994 to lay down the sweeping instrumental passages. Four years later he and vocalist Shajarian finished the record in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The two men exchange intricate call-and-response melodies that radiate impassioned exhilaration. --Bill Meyer« less
Kayhan Kalhor is the world's leading exponent of the kamancheh, an upright spike fiddle. Renowned for his work with Ghazal, a group that bridges Indian and Persian music, he applies a similar approach to Iranian folk and classical forms on Night Silence Desert. The Radif (Persian classical repertoire) grew from folk forms, but over the centuries the music evolved from its simple rural origins into an elaborately ornamented and rigorously structured style. This album doesn't take the music back to its basics--there's too much refined virtuosity on display. But the musicians infuse their playing with a vigor and crisp cohesion that belies the record's fitful production. First Kalhor convened 11 strummers, drummers, and flute blowers in Tehran in 1994 to lay down the sweeping instrumental passages. Four years later he and vocalist Shajarian finished the record in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The two men exchange intricate call-and-response melodies that radiate impassioned exhilaration. --Bill Meyer
"This CD has to rank among the "cream of the crop" of contemporary renditions of taditional Persian music. I own a large selection of them and this is one of my most favorite. The lyrics are based on poems by such luminaries as H.A. Sayeh, Attar, and Baba Taher. The song "Baran" is nostalgic, sad and mesmerising.... I have to stop whatever I'm doing and just sink into this song. Kalhor is a magnificent artist and kamanche player -- i've seen him live in concert. Shadjarian is unrivaled. The dotar by hadj ghorban soleimani is great but doesn't really stand out in this CD -- he and his music are authentic folk music of N. Khorassan (which province in Iran i'm from :) i recommend buying his own CD. The CD insert contains a detailed description of the various instruments, all poems in the original Farsi as well as English translations. All in all a magnificent production and masterly composition from the poems to the vocals to the music. This is truely a gem of craftsmanship and artistary and i'm proud to be able to recomment it. :)
This is the CD that moved Simin Behbahani, Iran's preeminent living poetess, to utter "My heart was beating fast with every note of the tar and my throat was choking up." [p.13 in "Kojast Fekre Hakimi?", Ketab Corp, LA, 2003]"
BEAUTIFUL AND TRANSPORTING...
Larry L. Looney | Austin, Texas USA | 05/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"NIGHT SILENCE DESERT is described in the notes to this CD as a `Khorasan suite' - Khorasan, Iran's largest province, located in the eastern part of the country and home to Masshad, the nation's holiest city, can be roughly translated as `the place where the sun rises'. Kayhan Kalhor has composed the music on this disc based on the classical and folk musics of Khorasan, inspired by his love for the form. The notes that accompany the disc go into great detail concerning the differences and similarities between the classical and folk forms - but rather than writing like a cold theoretician, Kalhor's respect and passion for the music makes the explanation interesting reading.Kalhor is a master performer on the kemancheh (the traditional bowed lute of the region, widely used in Arab and Middle Eastern music) and setar (a 4-stringed plucked lute) - he is joined here by an exceptionally talented ensemble featuring dotar (a 2-stringed lute), barbat (oud), santur (an instrument similar to the Western hammered dulcimer), nay (a reed flute), ghooshmeh (a double-reed flute), cello, and assorted percussion instruments. The ten tracks on the disc flow together wonderfully - sometimes so smoothly that the listener might not notice the track has changed until the subtle shifts in mood and melody become apparent.The words sung in the four vocal sections are, like the music, a mixture of ancient and modern - two are by masters from the 11th and 13th century, and two are by contemporary poets. The ghazal form of lyrical expression is one of the most moving and beautiful to be found in the world - and while the pieces on this disc are not sung in English, there are translations provided. The emotions expressed in the poetry are given glorious flight by the voice of Shajarian, one of the most respected vocalists in Persian music today - listening to his performances here, it's easy to understand why he is so revered.Far from being a `fusion' disc, the music here (at least to my untrained ears) remains true to the essence of Persian classical music. This album is a real treat."
Virtuosity, Perceivable Even by Novices
David Kleist | 12/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One need not be steeped in the traditions of Persian/Iranian music to perceive the beauty and mastery of the musicians and music on this CD. From my perspective, when one reaches a certain level of artistic excellent, it is foolhardy to split hairs over whether one is listening to a "good" recording rather than a "great" one. For me, this music--hauntingly evocative, spiritual, and luminous in its beautiful complexity--is of the highest order of artistry. This is a recording one can listen to repeatedly, each time discovering new nuances and patterns missed before. Highly recommended."
Night Silence Desert
Larry L. Looney | 12/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Night Silence Desert is my favorite CD, even though I have never listened to Persian music before and do not understand one word. I listen to it every day at work, while I sit at my computer. I find the fascinating sounds most soothing, calming and relaxing during my usually stressful 11-12 hour work days. Not only will you cherish the classical and folk music performed by Mohammad Reza Shajarian, but you will be treated to a magnificently written history and explanation of the musical instruments and beautiful, romantic poetry (both old and new) that you hear."
Shab Sekoot Kavir from the master of Persian Classical Music
arman karimi | Milpitas, CA United States | 04/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Honestly, those who prefer Nazeri or Eftekhari rather than Shajarian do not have a full understanding of Persian Classical Music. Shajarian has not only performed the best pieces, he improved persian classical music. IN this piece he performs persian classical music with a mixture of classical persian music and folk type music from Khorasan. He works with the some of the best performers of Iran. Among them are: Kayhan Kalhor, the mastter of Kamancheh. Was the man who wrote all the songs for this album, also played kamancheh and setar Hossein Behroozinia, opens the album by playing his barbat. He sounds great on this album. Ardavan Kamkar, who plays the santur beautifully in this album. Bijan Kamkar, probably the best Daf player in Iran, played magnificently. Behzad Foroughary, plays the Ney in a way which nobody can reject to.Another good thing about this album is that Haj Ghorban Soleimani and his son both play Dotar on this album and it sounds spectacular.The Baroon tasnif which is the first par of the album is spectacular, it shows that Shajarian never gives out albums that sound the same as this is completely different then his earlier works. IN the second part of the album the first "ghateh" or piece is magnificent piece and in my opinion the finest ghateh in persian music. After that piece he goes in to an "avaz" which can be an impromptu or just a slow non-meldoical song. After that he goes in to the tasnif "AY Ashegha" which is also magical, i shake when i hear "Zanjir o Zendan Beshkaneh...."if u listen to anykind of music this is a must get."