There's more Persian classical music in the air this Wednesday.

Set #1 - 8:00am - 9:00am

1. Suite de Qatâr (rec. 1970)
Ostad Elahi - tanbur [long-necked lute]
Ostad Elahi: Cascade: L'art du luth oriental tanbûr
Le chant du monde, 2741150
47:26
("... the intimate Qatâr mode of classical Persian music ..." In other words, this needs concentrated and introspective listening from you for it not to sound like random strumming.



Above, Elahi's youngest son performs his father's works on the tanbur. And while you're at it, check out Harry Freedman on the informed listener.)

Set #2 - 9:00am - 10:00am

2. Dastgâh-e Mâhûr
19:58

3. Avâz-e Afshâri
18:28

4. Avâz-e Esfahân
13:51

5. Dastgâh-e Mâhûr
5:09

Tracks 2-5 (rec. 1994)
Sima Bina - voice, Hossein 'Omoumi - ney [reed flute], Madjid Derakhshâni - tar [long-necked lute], Madjid Khaladj - tombak [goblet drum]
Sima Bina: Persian Classical Music
Nimbus Records, NI 5391
(Grossly oversimplifying, the typical form is a suite of instrumental and vocal compositions drawn from a repertoire of melodies grouped into dastgâhs, or modes. "The vocalist plays an important part in the ensemble, for he/she conveys the word and the poetry...." which is drawn from the ancient masterpieces of Persian lyric poetry.)

Set #3 - 10:00am - 11:00am

6. Avâz-e Afshâri
42:24

7. Dastâgh-e Mâhur
32:08

Tracks 6-7 (rec. 1988)
Shâhrâm Nâzeri - voice, Dariush Talâ'i - setar [long-necked lute], Bijan Kâmkâr - tombak & daf [frame drum]
Iran: Les maîtres de la musique traditionelle Vol.3
Ocora, C 560026
(Shâhrâm Nâzeri: "... I mix popular Kurd music with [Persian classical music]: it gives it a burst of energy that tends to attract a much younger public to traditional music..." He seems to have the same problem as Western symphony orchestras.)