Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents DAC @Home with Fared Shafinury on Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 6:00 pm (PDT). Fared Shafinury unites with electronic artists, sound designers and engineers, Hessam Dianpour and Termeh Saba, and filmmaker Esteban Salas.
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
The house concert begins with the first piece, Flame in Orbit [Shole-ye Tâbân ](شعله تابان) which introduces the evening through 13th century transcendental poetry by Rumi, sung and performed with the setâr in the spirit of Khorâsâni maghâm up against a backdrop of low-fi electronica.
The second piece, which serves as an interlude, From Darkness to Light [Az târiki be Noor ] (از تاریکی به نور), mixes low-fi electronica with a 2014 field recording of a story about the human condition, written and recited by Fared Shafinury. The Interlude comes to a close with a short classical improvisation on the setâr in the mode (dastgah) of Âvâz Abu Ata.
The 3rd and final piece, 1400 (۱۴۰۰) is a dedication to Norooz and the coming of the new year in the Persian calendar. It’s a modern pop rendition of a famous ballad (tasnif) by Darvish Khan, known as Bahar Delkash (بهار دلکش) with lyrics by Malek osh-Sho'arā Bahār. This song was first performed 106 years ago in Iran, and has been performed countless times by numerous artists through the years.
We ask that our lovely listeners to please listen with their headphones or with high quality speakers, and thank you for tuning in. This program is a part of Fared Shafinury’s The Belafonte Sessions.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Fared Shafinury is a widely celebrated & critically acclaimed singer/songwriter, composer, setār virtuoso, and performing artist. Born on the Gulf of Mexico, Shafinury’s hyphenated cultural identity has propelled his music to the forefront of authentic west/east bridge building, evoking a modern expression of classical Persian music. His discography and live concert appearances both depict a trail of experimentation that’s rooted in a deep understanding of the classical persian modalities, informed by his western upbringing. Shafinury’s latest concert tour, Microtone, (which was abruptly halted due to the ongoing pandemic) explores the deeper roots within classical Persian music, and how this cultural heritage is anchored into the natural world. In recent years, Shafinury has embarked upon the creation of an online school of classical Persian music theory, known as the @RadifRetreat Institute. Teaching to a wide array of students from all over the world, Shafinury’s bilingual and multi-cultural approach has helped unlock the many secrets of this elusive art form, helping many non-Iranians as well as dual-Persian identities, to connect and understand the ancient modal system in its current form.
Hesam Dianpour: Hessam Dianpour is a multi-instrumentalist based in Houston, Texas. He was born in Tehran, Iran in 1985. Hessam began his musical journey at 7 years of age with the Tonbak. Today he makes music that aims to blur the lines between different cultures and eras. His affinity for world music, particularly Indian, Middle Eastern, and African, inspire his latest work.
Termeh Saba: Termeh Sabah is a classical pianist, sound engineer, and producer based Austin, TX. She was born in Isfahan, Iran in 1996. Having grown up in a musical family, she decides to drop out of school at an early age and leave her home country on an adventure to find herself. Having studied at the Recording Conservatory of Austin, Termeh now works as both a freelance & principal engineer/producer at multiple studios with a multitude of award winning artists throughout the United States. She currently engineers the sound production of The Belafonte Sessions.
ABOUT DAC @Home
As you know, the COVID19 outbreak has seriously affected the entertainment industry, both artists and arts organizations. With Diaspora Arts Connection @Home, DAC is bringing arts and audiences together through live streaming arts directly to audiences through the internet. Please tune in and consider making a donation to this campaign, to help keep arts alive. Your donations are truly appreciated and allow Diaspora Arts Connection to continue to support the artists.
Set a reminder for this show and catch previous performances below.
