News article.
Apr 21st 2010
Imani Winds to premiere Simon Shaheen's "Zafir" in 2011
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n February 6, 2011, Imani Winds will perform the world premiere of Simon Shaheen's Zafir at Monclair State University in New Jersey.
The piece is jointly commissioned by Peak Performances at Kasser Theater at Montclair State University and the DeBartolo Center for Performing Arts at University of Notre Dame, and Chamber Music America. The work will be performed at the DeBartolo Center on April 2, 2011.
Composer's remarks:
Zafir (a gentle breath)
First movement: demonstrates the sound of unison played by varied combinations of wind instruments utilizing the maqam system with its microtonal intervals. In this movement the concept of unison is not playing exactly the same notes and dynamics only, but also using heterophonic texture in which instrumentalists perform the same melody, but give it different embellishments as well as playing layers of leading melodies on the various instruments with drones and ritornellos on others. This movement brings the sound of Upper Egypt winds playing the same melodies in combinations that produce new sonorities.
Second movement: consists of two parts: the first is a dance-like theme that follows a lively simple meter called Wahdah Basita in a moderate tempo. The second part incorporates passages in which short improvisational solos alternate with pre-composed ensemble refrains in a call and response fashion. In this part each improvisational solo is based on a different metric pattern that reveals the intricacy of the inner subdivision found in rhythmic modes.
Third Movement: a folkloric melody originated in the Levant becomes the springboard for a theme and variations. Each of the variations is played by one of the five instruments accompanied by counter melodic lines and rhythmic figures. It is rather a harmonic sound in a linear progression.
Imani Winds to premiere Simon Shaheen's "Zafir" in 2011
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n February 6, 2011, Imani Winds will perform the world premiere of Simon Shaheen's Zafir at Monclair State University in New Jersey. The piece is jointly commissioned by Peak Performances at Kasser Theater at Montclair State University and the DeBartolo Center for Performing Arts at University of Notre Dame, and Chamber Music America. The work will be performed at the DeBartolo Center on April 2, 2011.
Composer's remarks:
Zafir (a gentle breath)
First movement: demonstrates the sound of unison played by varied combinations of wind instruments utilizing the maqam system with its microtonal intervals. In this movement the concept of unison is not playing exactly the same notes and dynamics only, but also using heterophonic texture in which instrumentalists perform the same melody, but give it different embellishments as well as playing layers of leading melodies on the various instruments with drones and ritornellos on others. This movement brings the sound of Upper Egypt winds playing the same melodies in combinations that produce new sonorities.
Second movement: consists of two parts: the first is a dance-like theme that follows a lively simple meter called Wahdah Basita in a moderate tempo. The second part incorporates passages in which short improvisational solos alternate with pre-composed ensemble refrains in a call and response fashion. In this part each improvisational solo is based on a different metric pattern that reveals the intricacy of the inner subdivision found in rhythmic modes.
Third Movement: a folkloric melody originated in the Levant becomes the springboard for a theme and variations. Each of the variations is played by one of the five instruments accompanied by counter melodic lines and rhythmic figures. It is rather a harmonic sound in a linear progression.
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