"Gnats in the Wind" - Concerto for Tar & Intercultural Orchestra
by Farshid Samandari
*World premiere*
Performed by The Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra
with Ramiz Guliyev, tar
Ayyub Guliyev, conductor
June 11, 2022
The Historic Theatre at The Cultch
Vancouver, Canada
This performance was part of the VICO's 2022 Global Soundscapes Festival. Full programme: [ Ссылка ]
VANCOUVER INTER-CULTURAL ORCHESTRA
Mark Ferris, violin | Yuel Yawney, violin | Francisco Barradas, violin
Sina Ettehad, kamanche | Jun Rong, erhu | Douglas Hensley, oud/mandolin
Saina Khaledi, santur | Dai Lin Hsieh, zheng
Tawnya Popoff, viola | Ju Dee Ang, viola | Barbara Irschick, viola
Finn Manniche, cello | Sungyong Lim, cello | Mark Haney, contrabass
Andrew Broughton, bass trombone | Zhongxi Wu, suona / sheng
Paolo Bortolussi, flute | Geronimo Mendoza, oboe
Milan Milosevic, clarinet | Mike Brown, bass clarinet
Jonathan Bernard, percussion | Brian Nesselroad, percussion
Videography - Alistair Eagle
Sound - Sheldon Zaharko
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ABOUT THE MUSIC
Gnats Inside the Wind - Farshid Samandari
This new concerto for tar and intercultural orchestra is based on a poem from Rumi's Mathnavi. The piece depicts wavering characters as they regularly alter their opinions on almost any significant subject, regardless of realities. I n this concerto, at times the orchestra is noticeably indomitable, at the other times orchestra clings to a range of various musical styles: to subdue, compete or even accompany the soloists. The concerto begins in the form of a free expanding and transfiguring ritornello. Gradually as the solo Tar asserts its sonic world, the piece frames a sectional developmental block form. The soloist presents a number of different maqāms (modes) naviating the orchestra along into their different sonic realms. The music concludes with a formidable ritornello, however with soloist surfing atop leading the music. - Farshid Samandari
Some gnats came from the grass to speak with Solomon.
"O Solomon, you are the champion of the oppressed.
You give justice to the little guys, and they don't get any littler than us!
We are tiny metaphors for frailty. Can you defend us?"
"Who has mistreated you?"
"Our complaint is against the wind."
"Well," says Solomon, "you have pretty voices,
you gnats, but remember, a judge cannot listen to just one side. I must hear both litigants."
"Of course," agree the gnats.
"Summon the East Wind!" calls out Solomon,
and the wind arrives almost immediately.
What happened to the gnat plaintiffs? Gone...
(Mathnawi III: 4624 - 59 Coleman Barks;"The Essential Rumi")
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The VICO respectfully acknowledges that our work takes place on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Nations, including the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-waututh Nations.
We also extend heartfelt thanks to the following funders, whose support made this project possible in very challenging times:
Canada Council for the Arts
Department of Canadian Heritaage
The Province of British Columbia
BC Arts Council
Creative BC / Amplify BC
The City of Vancouver
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