Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Hafez Modirzadeh: In Convergence Liberation
Hafez Modirzadeh: In Convergence Liberation
ByModirzadeh, a multi-reedist/composer/educator with a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University, is erasing cultural borders with his concept of chromodality, a mix-and-marry approach to music creation that allows for the simultaneous existence and merging of various musical temperaments from across the planet. He's erasing dividing lines and building bridges, and this album is the proof. Classical string ideals, Iraqi maqam, Iberian and Persian scales, and more collide, coexist, and combine in various ways during the aptly titled In Convergence Liberation.
Modirzadeh, covering everything from saxophones and flutes to a version of a Persian karna, delivers a compelling collection of chamber works that move in mysterious ways. Bent tones, cries, and sighs exist as one ("La Angustia De Los Amantes"); instruments dance and bound along ("Tetraspheres"); motifs from the "Adagio" section of Beethoven's "Piano Sonata no. 26" are completely turned on their head and freed from their shackles ("That Number Moves"); hints of Ornette Coleman briefly sneak into the picture ("Libertades"); and an eerie form of elegance holds sway ("Las Orillas Del Mar").
Reading Modirzadeh's explanations about each piece can make the head spin, with mentions of music in 17/4 and the idea of melody turning a Perso-Iberian scale-cycle tetramodal, but the high-level theory at work here doesn't detract from the experience of hearing the music. Amir ElSaffar's trumpet speaks of passion and promise in any language ("Yearnings"), Mili Bermejo's vocals draw focus and hold attention ("Sin Razon"), Faraz Minooei's contributions on the dulcimer-like santur are spellbinding ("Resistencia"), and Amir Abbas Etemadzadeh's percussion work adds volumes to the music. Those musicians, along with the string quartet known as ETHEL and Modirzadeh himself, make for quite a combination. Those looking to understand the very nature of confluence need look no further than In Convergence Liberation.
Track Listing
La Angustia de los Amantes; Tetraspheres; Karna Passages; Las Orillas del Mar; Number That Moves; Suite Compost; Sor Juana.
Personnel
Hafez Modirzadeh
saxophone, tenorHafez Modirzadeh: multiple reed instruments; Amir ElSaffar: trumpet, voice; Mili Bermejo: voice; Faraz Minooei: santur; Amir Abbas Etemadzadeh: percussion; ETHEL String Quartet: Mary Rowell: violin; Cornelius Dufallo: violin; Ralph Farris: viola; Dorothy Lawson: cello.
Album information
Title: In Convergence Liberation | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Pi Recordings
Comments
About Hafez Modirzadeh
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To