Kereshmeh Records -- Kereshmeh Cassettes

Kereshmeh Cassette Tapes

KCS-528 Eastern Apertures
Improvizations on Kamancheh and Tombak based on folk melodies of northern Khorasan

Kamancheh: Kayhan Kalhor
Tombak: Morteza Ayan

AIFF, 36 seconds, 11K Hz, 8 bit, 385K.
WAVE, 36 seconds, 16K Hz, 8 bit, 385K.
Sun/Next ulaw, 36 seconds, 8K Hz, 8 bit, 280K.

This is the first published work from Kayhan Kalhor, one of the most exciting kamancheh players of Iran. Kalhor's language on the kamancheh is original, powerful, and innovative. Morteza Ayan, an undisputed master of the tombak, has a new approach in this recording. The sound of the tombak is present from start to end and rather than just accompanying the kamancheh, the tombak is just as pronounced as the kamancheh. So many people have commented so uniformly on this recording, that they have not heard the kamancheh played in this way before, and that they have not heard such expressive and emotional improvisation.

Kayhan Kalhor, an internationally reputed performer, is a virtuoso on the kamancheh or Persian spike fiddle. The beauty and magic of his playing, his mastery of the instrument, and his knowledge of both Eastern and Western traditions have created a solid foundation for his delicate and craftful improvisational style.

Morteza Ayan is considered to be among the undisputed masters of contemporary tombak playing. He is widely considered to possess a unique style of playing that utilizes complex rhythmic variations and a high degree of virtuosity.

KCS-527 Golhayeh Sahraie

Folk Music of Khorasan

Vocals: Sima Bina
Arrangements: Mohammad Ali Kianinejad
Ney, Daf: Mohammad Ali Kianinejad
Setar: Siamak Ne'mat Naser

AIFF, 27 seconds, 16K Hz, 8 bit, 414K.
WAVE, 27 seconds, 16K Hz, 8 bit, 414K.
Sun/Next ulaw, 27 seconds, 8K Hz, 8 bit, 212.

Khorasan, which can be translated as the east or where the sun rises, is a vast area covering the northeast part of Iran. This region is one of the richest areas in the ancient Persian culture and music. Khorasan is inhabited by different ethnic communitites who have preserved their own regional dialect, customs, and folk music. In this music the harmony of ageless voices and instruments expresses passion, sadness, and futility through epic or love folk songs that have been passed on from one generation to next.

KCS-105 Alizadeh Live at the Los Angeles Festival
AIFF, 20 seconds, 11.025K Hz, 8 bit, 215K.
WAVE, 20 seconds, 11.025K Hz, 8 bit, 215K.
Sun/Next ulaw, 20 seconds, 8K Hz, 8 bit, 155K.

... absolutely inspiring....
Cliff Furnald, CMJ

... highly charged and invigorating...
Todd Michel McComb

Recorded during a live concert at the J. Paul Getty Museum as part of the 1993 Los Angeles Festival, Hossein Alizadeh demonstrates his mastery of improvisation in an electrifying performance on setar. Alizadeh draws upon the rich heritage of Persian melodies in his creation of this colorful and highly energetic music.

Video Collection

KVD-101 Hamnavai
Dastgah Chahargah and Mahur
Tar and Setar: Hossein Alizadeh
Tar: Arshad Tahmaseby
Tombak: Madjid Khaladj
Available in NTSC and PAL format.
Recorded on April 10th 1993, in UCLA Dickson Auditorium.