The new piece, Fountains of Fin, celebrates one of the most enchanting gardens in the world, the historical Garden of Fin in Kashan, Iran built in 16th century.  The music is also a tribute to the prominent reformer, Amir Kabir, the 19th century great Vezir, who was slain in the bath of the Garden of Fin.  Ranjbaran writes: "In the new piece, I was inspired by the utmost beauty of this famous garden with its tall cypresses, fragrant flowers and hundreds of fountains as well as its dark and brutal history.  The solo flute that opens and ends the piece might be considered a eulogy for the slain Amir Kabir."

In 2006-07 season, Ranjbaran wrote Shiraz, a piano trio, which was also commissioned by Bargemusic as well as Isfahan for seven instruments premiered by the Philadelphia Chamber Ensembles.  In March 2007, Renée Fleming once again lent her voice to Mr. Ranjbaran's Songs of Eternity, this time as part of a gala concert with the Fort Worth Symphony under Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Songs of Eternity, which was described as "enchanting...the evening's musical heart" by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, was received with overwhelming enthusiasm by audience members and critics alike.  The performance led one columnist, Olin Chism of the Dallas Morning News, to exclaim: "it's fair to call him [Ranjbaran] a master of the orchestra."

Recordings include the Persian Trilogy on the Delos label by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by JoAnn Falletta.  This orchestral cycle, comprising the works Seven Passages, Seemorgh and The Blood of Seyavash, takes its inspiration from ancient Persian legends, as recounted in the 11th century epic poem Shahnameh (The Book of Kings).  Ms. Falletta has also conducted Elegy for Cello and Orchestra with soloist Yo-Yo Ma and the Buffalo Philharmonic, reviewed in the Buffalo press as "ethereal...fragile, almost like a mirage."  In the fall of 2006, performances of Seven Passages by the Buffalo Philharmonic, as well as the Reading Symphony, elicited praise for Mr. Ranjbaran's "mastery of orchestration...apparent in the delicious, delicate opening sonorities" (Herman Trotter, The Buffalo News) and for his "brilliantly and colorfully orchestrated...engaging" work (Susan L. Peña, Reading Eagle).

In the summer of 2005, Mr. Ranjbaran was composer-in-residence for the 40th anniversary of the Saratoga Music Festival.  In celebration of the occasion, he composed the orchestral overture Saratoga, which was premiered by Charles Dutoit and the Philadelphia Orchestra.  The festival also saw the premiere of Piano Quintet and performances of many of Mr. Ranjbaran's chamber works; in addition, Chantal Juillet was the soloist in a performance of the Violin Concerto with Dutoit and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Born in Tehran, Iran, Mr. Ranjbaran is the recipient of the Rudolf Nissim Award for his Violin Concerto. His musical education started early when he entered the Tehran Music Conservatory at the age of nine. He came to the United States in 1974, where he attended Indiana University and received his doctorate in composition from The Juilliard School, where he currently serves on the faculty. Named a "Distinguished Artist" by the New Jersey Council on the Arts, Ranjbaran's honors also include a National Endowment for the Arts grant, a grant from Meet the Composer (composer/choreographer project), and a Charles Ives Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Fountains of Fin is a commissioned work awarded to BARGEMUSIC by the New York State Music Fund established by the New York State Attorney General.

Date and Venue:

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 8 pm

Friday, March 7, 2008 at 8 pm

Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 4 pm

All performances at BARGEMUSIC (directions listed below)

Performers:

Julie Scolnik, Flute

Mark Peskanov, Violin

Maurycy Banaszek, Viola

Adrian Daurov, Cello

Full Concert Program:

Beethoven Serenade in D Major for Flute, Violin and Viola, Op. 25

Behzad Ranjbaran Fountains of Fin for Flute, Violin and Cello,

               (World Premiere), commissioned by Bargemusic (2008)

Mozart Flute Quartet No. 1 in D Major, K. 285

Mozart Divertimento in E-Flat Major for Violin, Viola and Cello, K. 563

Admission: $35 ($20 students)

For reservations and information, please contact BARGEMUSIC
phone: (718) 624-2083 or email: info@bargemusic.org

Bargemusic is located at Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge. Directions: Take the A train to High Street station (Use the Fulton Street Exit. Walk downhill on Cadman Plaza West to the East River, 3 blocks); F train to York Street (go right on Jay to Front Street. On Front Street turn left, and turn right on Old Fulton Street; walk downhill to the river); or 2 or 3 train to Clark Street station (walk west on Clark Street to Columbia Heights; turn right; walk downhill to the end of the street).

... Payvand News - 3/1/08 ...