8/19/03 http://www.payvand.com/news/03/aug/1108.html Behzad Ranjbaran's First Recording for Persian Trilogy Celebrated Iranian-born composer Behzad Ranjbaran (b. 1955) travels to London in September 2003 to record his orchestral cycle “The Persian Trilogy” with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of American conductor JoAnn Falletta. The producer is multiple Grammy Award-winner Michael Fine. The recording dates are 4th & 5th September 03 and the venue is the LSO’s brand new recording centre LSO St Luke’s. Written between 1991-2000, the three works are entitled “Seemorgh” (1991), “The Blood of Seyavash” (1994) and “Seven Passages” (Haft Khan) (2000). They are inspired by three stories from the 11th century Persian epic poem “The Book of Kings” or “Shahnameh”, which retells ancient Persian legends. The influence of the “Shahnameh” on Persian cultural life is incalculable. It is acknowledged as one of the three most important works in a long and unusually rich literary tradition and has long served poets and historians as a source of illustrative influence, narrative technique and human motivation. These works are steeped in Persian culture, colour and influence and reflect the long tradition of legend and story-telling of a country which has continued to uphold artistic values, despite political upheaval. This is the very first album dedicated to the re-telling of these legends. Said Ranjbaran: “I have a keen interest in many kinds of music [but] certainly Persian music which I was close to in my early years comes back in the context of a modern musical language. Every piece is a reminiscence, a journey home for me. The Persian poetry, the Persian gardens, the mountains…have a very strong presence in my creation.” Ranjbaran started his musical education at the age of nine, entering the Tehran Music Conservatory. He moved to the USA in 1974, continued his music studies at Indiana University and obtained his doctorate from the Juilliard School, where, since 1991, he has been a Faculty Member. Two major works by Behzad Ranjbaran were premiered during the 2002-2003 season: “Songs of Eternity”, a song cycle based on the poetry of Omar Khayyam for Reneé Fleming, performed in September 2002 by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra under Gerard Schwarz and the Violin Concerto, premiered in January 2003 by Joshua Bell with Maestro Schwarz and the RLPO. Said Bell of the Violin Concerto: “It’s an amazing piece that is a perfect example of a new work that really deserves attention”. The Los Angeles Times wrote about “Seemorgh”: “The music is unmistakably graphic in its appeal. Dark, threatening, driving, splashy and brilliant…thoroughly accomplished”. Said The Nashville Scene of “The Blood of Seyavash”: [it has] the qualities of inherent beauty and strong musical structure that make it a satisfying musical entity. It is a rich experience as a ballet but it is no doubt destined to be equally pleasing as a concert piece alone”. Commenting on “Seven Passages” (Haft Khan), the Press Telegram wrote: “Ranjbaran created…a clear and ringing argument for the continued use and growth of symphonic form. He clearly recognises the power of the orchestra…and uses its power to create rich, languid colours and pulses of striking emotional energy…he uses that power with grace and ease”. Said Michael Fine: “Producing the first recording of a new work is always exciting, particularly when the music is as profoundly beautiful as Behzad’s. His richly coloured and deft orchestrations are simply stunning and I expect superb results, especially with the ideal partners for these scores: conductor JoAnn Falletta, the London Symphony Orchestra and the recording team from the Abbey Rd remote”.