ABSTRACTUM
Flute and Piano Works of Alireza Mashayekhi
Abstractum Project
This project presents Alireza Mashayekhi’s flute and piano works from 1973 – 2020. Pieces in this project are composed under the influence of the composer’s concept of multiculturalism.
Flute: Kelariz Keshavarz
Piano: Olga Kleiankina
List of Works:
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Abstractum, Op. 300 (2020)
Mvt. I
Mvt. II
Mvt. III
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Sonata no. III, Op. 179 (2007)
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Sonata no. II, Op. 158 (2002)
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Sonata no. I, Op. 47 (1973)
Improvisatory Electronic Miniatures
Minimpronics: Improvisatory Electronic Miniatures are the fruit of Solitude in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic, when the flute and computer were the salvation of the dark world.
__Kelariz Keshavarz
Voice of Young Iranian Composers
Young Iranian Composers Project was a pedagogical/competition event during the course of summer and fall 2020 with the motto “The voice of Young Iranian Composers must be
heard”. The event consisted of finding young emerging composers residing in Iran, and helping them to get their voice heard despite all the cultural and political limitations. In its inaugural season of 2020 the selected young composers benefited from lectures,
workshops, and individual lessons by such renowned artists as Chaya Czernowin, Ken Ueno , Don Freund , Nina C. Young , Katharina Rosenberger , and Reza Vali . In addition, the selected works were performed by Kelariz keshavarz and released under Petrichor Records in
2021.
An Anthology of Contemporary Flute Music
“Iranian New Waves” is a unique project whose goal is to present over fifty new compositions for solo flute created by established contemporary Iranian composers. The history of music-making throughout Persia over millennia has contributed to the rich repertoire of contemporary Iranian music.
The composers featured in this project have drawn from this distinguished heritage to expand upon the flute repertoire, each with their own unique approach. While these composers are currently living in various nations around the world, all of them are of Iranian descent and continue to have a significant influence upon the development of contemporary music in Iran. This anthology of music encompasses a vast array of inspirational influences extending from village shepherd music to the hustle and bustle of today’s metropolitan cities; from the words of Persian poets and philosophers to Western cultural influences. The compositions on this album have either been newly commissioned or they are preexisting works that have not previously been released.
The project curators, Amin Sharifi and Kelariz Keshavarz are internationally renowned, award-winning musicians specializing in contemporary music. As the solo performer featured on the album, Keshavarz demonstrates an extensive musical proficiency with performances on the flute, piccolo, alto flute, and bass flute.
Mizzou New Music Ensemble Directed by Stefan Freund
Black Pierrot, a 2021 album recorded by Mizzou’s University Singers that features the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, received accolades in a review in the January/February issue of the American Record Guide. Released on the Centaur Records label in June 2021, the album is highlighted by the world premiere recording of the title track, which was commissioned from composer William Averitt by R. Paul Crabb, director of choral activities at Mizzou, with funding from the Mizzou New Music Initiative.
Averitt’s “Black Pierrot” is based on seven poems by Langston Hughes, each incorporated into a movement of the work. It was premiered by the University Singers and the Mizzou New Music Ensemble in a concert in March 2017 at First Baptist Church in Columbia. On the album, the work is performed by the Singers and the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, directed by Stefan Freund. NME members on the album include: Victoria Hargrove, clarinet; Daniel Keeler, cello; Kelariz Keshavarz, flute; Renan Leme, violin; Rebecca McDaniel, percussion; Gyumi Rha, piano; and Panagiotis Skyftas, saxophone.
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Music by Amin Sharifi
Monologue for the Loneliness of the Composer II
from the album A Portrait of the Composer as a Young Man
A Portrait of the Composer as a Young Man (title inspired by Irish writer James Joyce’s first novel) is an album of Amin Sharifi’s select chamber music composed from 2013 to 2016, performed and recorded by members of Pierrot-Tehran New Music Ensemble, Breakout Ensemble and solo artists in Germany, the U.S. and Sharifi’s home, Iran.
This album could be considered the musical equivalent of Künstlerroman, German for "artist's novel" —a narrative about a young artist's serious explorations and growth toward artistic maturity.