ECHOES OF PERSIA
Be Revayat-e Saz-e Irani
Persian Musical Heritage Contemporary CompositionEuropean Chamber Music
The Instrument as Narrator
Echoes of Persia is a six-chapter contemporary music cycle composed by Behzad Abdi, bringing Persian solo instruments into dialogue with a European string quartet.
Each chapter explores a distinct musical and narrative world, where the Persian instrument becomes the principal storyteller and the string quartet an integral part of the musical and dramatic expression.
Rather than reconstructing traditional repertoire or simply combining Eastern and Western traditions, the project creates an original contemporary musical language rooted in Persian cultural heritage.
The complete cycle comprises approximately 300 minutes of original music. All six chapters have been composed and are ready for production, performance and international presentation.
Six Instruments, Six Musical Worlds, One Artistic Language
Each chapter presents an independent musical narrative, while all six form a unified contemporary music cycle. All six chapters have been fully composed by Behzad Abdi. While Chapter I, The Horseman , introduces the cycle, the identities and artistic narratives of the remaining five chapters will be revealed progressively
CHAPTER II
To Be Revealed
CHAPTER III
To Be Revealed
CHAPTER IV
To Be Revealed
CHAPTER V
To Be Revealed
CHAPTER VI
To Be Revealed
COMPOSER & ARTISTIC DIRECTION
BEHZAD ABDI, Composer
Behzad Abdi is an internationally recognised Iranian composer and a pioneering figure in contemporary Persian opera, with a distinguished career spanning opera, symphonic and chamber music, and film scoring. His work bridges Persian musical traditions and Western classical forms, notably through his acclaimed operas Rumi and Hafez, both released internationally by Naxos.
An award-winning composer, Abdi has received two Crystal Simorgh awards for Best Original Score, alongside several other prestigious distinctions for his contributions to film and contemporary music.
As the composer of all six chapters of Echoes of Persia, Abdi brings his distinctive musical language to an ambitious contemporary cycle connecting Persian instruments with European chamber music.
GUY DANEL, Senior Artistic Advisor
Guy Danel is a distinguished French cellist, chamber musician and educator from Lille, and founder of the internationally acclaimed Quatuor Danel. His extensive career includes collaborations with renowned ensembles such as the Amadeus, Borodin and LaSalle Quartets, as well as performances and recordings of major chamber music repertoire.
A faculty member at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and founding president of Chamber Music for Europe, he is dedicated to supporting emerging ensembles and fostering innovative artistic and educational initiatives. He brings his extensive chamber music expertise, artistic leadership and international network to Echoes of Persia as Senior Artistic Advisor.
AMIR PANAHI, Producer & Artistic Director
Amir Panahi is an Iranian cultural producer, entrepreneur and strategic leader with a background in international project development, strategic management and creative production. As founder of Art Corner Platform and President of ABGINEH Association in France, he leads the strategic vision, artistic development and international partnerships of both initiatives, including co-production collaborations with Klarafestival in Belgium.
As the creator and producer of Echoes of Persia, he leads the project’s artistic direction, production strategy and international development, bringing together distinguished artists, European ensembles and cultural institutions to realise an ambitious six-chapter contemporary music cycle
CHRIS SHEPPARDSON, International Development
Chris Sheppardson is an entrepreneur and international business leader with extensive experience in hospitality, leadership, business development and strategic partnerships. He is the founder of The Leader’s Journey, an international consultancy connecting expertise across industries and fostering new opportunities for collaboration.
A sociology graduate of Bedford College, University of London, Chris has developed an extensive international network, bringing together people, organisations and ideas across sectors. His interest in cultural and creative experiences, including music, performance and storytelling, brings a valuable cross-sector perspective to Echoes of Persia, supporting its strategic development and international connections.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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PRODUCTION & INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
Beyond the Concert Stage
Echoes of Persia is conceived as a flexible artistic project, with possibilities for individual chapter performances, curated multi-chapter programmes and presentations of the complete cycle.
Beyond live performance, the project can develop through artistic residencies, studio recordings, audiovisual productions, international touring and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Art Corner Platform provides the creative and production framework, while ABGINEH Association, based in Lille, France, supports international cultural cooperation, artistic partnerships and European development.
The project welcomes collaboration with festivals, concert halls, chamber ensembles and cultural institutions interested in contemporary music and international artistic creation.
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