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The Shams Ensemble Comes to Los Angeles
posted October 21, 2008 - 7:21am by Editor
Shams Ensemble with Whirling Dervishes: photo by John MontgomeryIranian composer Kaykhosro Pournazeri and his classical Shams Ensemble are touring the United States this month, with concerts in San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
The Shams Ensemble performs traditional Persian, mystic Sufi, and Kurdish music with the tanbour, daf (frame drum), and percussion instruments. The vocals feature the poetry of Rumi and other Iranian bards. Shams features Kaykhosro Pournazeri, Sohrab Pournazeri and Tahmores Pournazeri.
Before the 1979 Iranian revolution, which ushered in more conservative guidelines regulating music, the Iranian composer enjoyed a career in traditional Persian music. Even when the incoming Islamic regime thwarted his musical aspirations, Pournazeri said he never gave up hope.
The Shams Ensemble was among the first groups working for musical independence and freedom of women’s voices in Iran. Even though the Iranian government would not grant permission for live performances, the ensemble would continue to play – many times underground and without government support.
Their San Francisco concert was a SOLD-OUT success and they have been featured on NPR's BBC The World.
Click here to listen to a radio interview on The World.
To purchase tickets online click here.
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is rounds and open.
Don't go back to sleep."
- Rumi
Shams Ensemble with Whirling Dervishes: photo by John MontgomeryIranian composer Kaykhosro Pournazeri and his classical Shams Ensemble are touring the United States this month, with concerts in San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.The Shams Ensemble performs traditional Persian, mystic Sufi, and Kurdish music with the tanbour, daf (frame drum), and percussion instruments. The vocals feature the poetry of Rumi and other Iranian bards. Shams features Kaykhosro Pournazeri, Sohrab Pournazeri and Tahmores Pournazeri.
Before the 1979 Iranian revolution, which ushered in more conservative guidelines regulating music, the Iranian composer enjoyed a career in traditional Persian music. Even when the incoming Islamic regime thwarted his musical aspirations, Pournazeri said he never gave up hope.
The Shams Ensemble was among the first groups working for musical independence and freedom of women’s voices in Iran. Even though the Iranian government would not grant permission for live performances, the ensemble would continue to play – many times underground and without government support.
Their San Francisco concert was a SOLD-OUT success and they have been featured on NPR's BBC The World.
Click here to listen to a radio interview on The World.
To purchase tickets online click here.
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is rounds and open.
Don't go back to sleep."
- Rumi
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Levantine Cultural Center champions a greater understanding of the Middle East and North Africa by presenting artistic and educational programs that bridge political and religious divides.
