The Alchemy of Ancient Song Roads

Overview

Don’t miss the debut concert of Canberra’s Jazmourian Ensemble, playing music inspired by ancient Persia and early western music on Iranian traditonal instruments!

This entrancing ensemble was formed in 2019 by two musicians, from Iran and Australia, who were inspired by the question “What do the music of the east and west have in common?”

Malek Mohammadi Nejad, a master of the setar native to Iran, together with Anna McDonald, an internationally renowned baroque violinist who now plays the kamancheh, created Jazmourian Ensemble while travelling together in Iran and Armenia for three years.

Their music was inspired by the mountains and deserts of these ancient lands, and by the Persian idea of music – that it is a sacred conversation between friends. They also draw on early western music to create an alchemical, interconnected musical language.

In 2021 they recorded their first CD of music “Karavankosh”: four original compositions written for the unusual but beautiful combination of Iranian setar and kamancheh.

They will share the music of Karavankosh, as well as new compositions for setar, shurangiz and kamancheh, composed in their home town of Canberra.

Approximately 75 minutes of music will be followed by Persian tea and cake.