Nasim-e Sahar

Nasim-e Sahar, featuring the duo of Bahareh Fayazi on tar and Asareh Shekarchi on tombak and avaz (Iranian classical singing), is a unique reinterpretation of works by master Iranian vocalist Reza-Qoli Mirza Zelli (1906-1945). Renowned for his exceptional vocal technique and command of tahrir – an oscillating falsetto vibrato often compared to Swiss yodelling – Zelli tragically passed away from tuberculosis in Tehran around the age of 38. Given the poor quality of recordings from this period, Zelli’s performances can’t be heard to their full potential, leading to Fayazi and Shekarchi’s current recreation. What started as a musical rite of passage – copying prior performances by ear being a core part of learning Iranian music – became a meticulous reinvention, with the duo respectfully iterating upon the finer details of Zelli’s delivery. As such, the recording is a masterful presentation of classical Iranian music, with Shekarchi’s undulating voice pirouetting over Fayazi’s virtuosic tar accompaniment. It is also significant that, in a tradition historically dominated by male performers, such an elevation of the art form is presented by two female artists – both of whom are teachers themselves at the Girl’s Music Conservatory in Tehran – representing a future for Iranian music that reinvents and improves upon its past.