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Duke Arts Presents

Mohammad-Reza Shajarian & the Shahnaz Ensemble

Saturday, April 28, 2012 | 8:00 pm


Even the grand and spacious Durham Performing Arts Center will be hard-pressed to contain this extraordinary night of song with living legend Mohammad-Reza Shajarian. A winner of the United Nations’ Picasso Award and Mozart Medal as well as one of NPR’s “50 Great Voices,” Shajarian has become Iran’s most iconic singer during his committed four-decade career. More than a rich and moving voice that seems to echo down the ages, he is a steadfast moral rudder for a tumultuous historical period.

In Durham, Shajarian — with 17 musicians playing traditional instruments, some of his own design — reveals the magnificent ancient poetry of classical Persian songs. Do not miss the chance to experience an international phenomenon in whom timelessness, principle, and preternatural talent combine.

Program

—PART I—
IN MEMORY OF PARVIZ MESHKATIAN (IN THE MODE OF SEGAH)
1. Prelude in Segah by Majid Derakhshani
2. Saghinameh • Hafez 
Composed by Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Arrangement by Majid Derakhshani
3. Vocals and Instrumentals • Sayeh
4. Rhythmic Piece (Chaharmezrab) by Majid Derakhshani
5. Vocals and Instrumentals • Sa-adi
6. Santoor and Tondar Duet by Ramin Safaee
7. Introduction of Song by Majid Derakhshani
8. Song (Saken-e Jan) • Mowlana
Composed by Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Arrangement by Majid Derakhshani

—Intermission—

—PART II—
FEKR-E ESHGH (AWAZ-E BAYAT-E ESFEHAN)
1. Prelude in Shushtari
Composed by Maestro Jalil e Shahnaz, Arrangement by Majid Derakhshani
2. Vocals and Instrumentals • Sayeh
3. Song (Fekr-e Eshgh) • Hafez
Composed by Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Arrangement by Majid Derakhshani
4. Vocals and Instrumentals • Sa-adi
5. Rhythmic Piece (Chaharmezrab)
Composed by Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Arrangement by Majid Derakhshani
6. Vocals and Instrumentals • Sayeh
7. Khoroosh-e oshagh by Majid Derakhshani
8. Song (Neshanash kon) by Majid Derakhshani • Mowlana