Our Sorrow

The sorrow referred to here is that of the women of Iran who, among many other things, are forbidden to sing solo in public. For singers such as Maliheh Moradi, these restrictions are too much to bear; and they have led to many, including herself, leaving Iran. Since her departure as a young woman, Moradi has had great success, performing at international music festivals, appearing in operas and, after moving to the US, becoming part of the Voices Unveiled project. On this album, Moradi joins forces with composer and santur (dulcimer) player Ehsan Matoori who, since also relocating to the US, has collaborated with musicians from a wide range of backgrounds – from tabla players to symphony orchestras.

Our Sorrow is a collection of original compositions by Matoori which explore various stages in the life of Moradi as a conduit for the examination of the plight of Iranian women in general. The performances are virtuosic and engaging, with a narrative feel, yet the beauty of Moradi’s vocals is sometimes challenged by jarring unison string lines. While the album consists mainly of traditional Iranian textures, some of the most interesting moments include more international influences such as the clearly jazz aesthetic of ‘Six Doors’.