Hemispheres
Lily Afshar
Lily Afshar is an extraordinary guitarist, as demonstrated by this unique and fascinating CD. Hemispheres is an apt title for a work by an Iranian-born woman who completed her higher education in the United States, culminating in a Doctorate in Music Performance from Florida State University - the first woman to attain this degree. Dr. Afshar has expanded the repertoire of the classical guitar in two major ways: her playing has inspired many new works to be composed especially for her, and she has brought a whole new repertoire of Persian music to the guitar world.
A little background on the use of Persian: Before 1935 Iran was known as Persia in the English-speaking world, and while Iran is used to speak of the country politically, both Persian and Iranian are used in cultural contexts, with Persian often being used to stress more ancient traditions. And ancient these traditions are, as Iran is home to one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. Persian music in particular has a rich past which continues to the present day.
The music on the CD develops both traditions, so that the pieces grow organically from their materials,rather than using some elements to "spice up" a westernized version. The CD begins with Kara Toprak, a beautiful song by the Turkish minstrel Asik Veysel arranged for guitar by Ricardo Moyano and given its U.S. premiere here. This piece opens with a flourish that introduces several of the quarter-tones that sets much Persian and Turkish music apart from the Western tradition. Since the guitar's frets are spaced a semi-tone apart, Lily Afshar has had smaller frets - 'fretlets' - placed between certain frets to allow her to play this quarter tones. The result is a very "bluesy" sort of expression of a power and depth that seems to strike the heart directly. This song is a tour de force, and a magnificent start to the CD.
Schnee in Istanbul (Istanbul' da kar) or "Snow in Istanbul" is a seldom-heard but lovely piece of music by Italian-born composer-guitarist Carlo Domeniconi. After hearing Dr. Afshar play it you will wonder why we do not hear it more often!
Gozaar (Calligraphy No. 5) is a piece written by renowned Iranian composer Reza Vali for Lily Afshar, and given its world premiere here. This fascinating composition is derived from traditional Persian music, and based on the Iranian modal system. This enthralling piece will keep you on the edge of your seat while exposing your ears to some delightful new sonorities.This piece alone may be responsible for more and more guitarists adding fretlets to their instruments.
Triptych, Op. 102 is another piece written for Lily Afshar, this time by Polish-born composer Gerard Drozd, and again given a world premiere on this CD. This three-part composition begins with a Prelude that crashes along with big chords in a 20th-century idiom. The piece calms down with Eternal Song, an elegiac and meditative melody adorned with some impeccable guitar techniques that add to it enigmatic, introspective air. Dreams of a Clown caps the triptych with a scherzo-like movement that is great fun.
The next two pieces, Prelude and Fugato, were written by John Schneider and dedicated to Lily Afshar. These are more contrapuntally-conceived pieces with tightly intertwining lines. The Prelude was actually conceived in 'Pythagorean' tuning, in which certain intervals, especially fifths, are 'purer' ( or more precise) than in our standard equal temperament, where small compromises are made in order to sound equally consonant in all keys. In contrast, while Pythagorean tuning makes some intervals much purer, other intervals and chords sound wildly dissonant. This effect would no doubt make the Prelude very interesting, but as the guitar is tuned in equal temperament, it is performed that way here. Still an interesting piece. The Fugato is "a postmodern gloss" on the centuries-old fugue, combined here with Rondo form, in which a theme recurs between episodes of different material.
Adagio, op. 44 is another contrapuntal work, this time by Gerard Drozd, and given its world premiere here. This homage to J. S. Bach presents a challenge to the guitarist with its fast counterpoint at the outset, but this is no obstacle for Lily Afshar, who plays it with precision and expressivity, right up to its explosive ending.
Danza del Altiplano is a composition by the famous Cuban composer and guitarist Leo Brouwer. More than a simple dance, this piece presents a kaleidoscope of different scenes, each with its own rhythmic character.
Fantasia on a Traditional Persian Song was written for Lily Afshar by Garry Eister and is given its world premiere here. It was inspired by the music of the Persian instrument the Seh-tar. It is based on the song Morgh-eh-Sahar, but rather than arrange or transcribe the song, Garry Eister has chosen to use its material as a sort of " ' travel tale' of an enriching and exciting first visit to a new musical culture." I think you will find it equally enriching and exciting.
Complementing the previous piece, Lily Afshar performs the song Morgh-eh-Sahar (Bird of Dawn) on the Seh-tar. This is a marvellous opportunity to hear this ancient Persian instrument. Although the name literally means "three strings" a fourth string was added to this lute-like instrument a few centuries ago. This track is one of the highlights of the CD, and in many ways is worth the price of it alone. The interplay of the drones with the melody in its Persian mode gives an incredible sound that just has to be heard.
The final track, Misionera, was written by Argentinean composer Fernando Bustamante, and arranged for guitar by Jorge Morel. This beautiful, virtuosic piece is a perfect ending for the CD. The folk-based melodies blend with the previous music while adding yet another continent to the Hemispheres, including its use of Paraguayan rhythm. This piece sounds to natural on guitar that it is surprising to find that this is an arrangement.
As you may have guessed by now, words cannot describe the musical journey of this exceptional CD. Obviously I am not alone in this opinion, as Hemispheres reached #7 on Billboard's Top Classical Albums chart when it was released in 2006. Yes, it has taken a while for me to find this gem, but it was well worth waiting for. Don't miss it!
You can listen to samples and buy this marvellous CD from Amazon:
AMAZON.COM - Lily Afshar - Hemispheres
or you can get an autographed copy direct from Archer Records:
http://www.archer-records.com/?page=shop.asp