Jazmourian Ensemble: The Alchemy of Ancient Song Roads

Don’t miss this intimate concert, in the beautiful resonance of the ANU Drill Hall, of the Jazmourian Ensemble (Malek Mohammadi Nejad – Iranian setar, shurangiz, voice. Anna McDonald – Iranian kamancheh), ANU’s Ensemble in Residence. They will be playing their music inspired by ancient Persia and early western music on Iranian traditional instruments.

This entrancing ensemble was formed in 2019 by two musicians, from Iran and Australia, who were inspired by the question, “What do the music of the east and west have in common?”

The ensemble’s Alchemy of Ancient Song Roads program of original compositions will be performed, on Iranian setar, kamancheh, shurangiz and voice. A new composition by the Jazmourian Ensemble will also be debuted at this concert: Along the Badja Road. This piece is inspired by a major work by the renowned artist, John R Walker, which is currently being shown in the Drill Hall’s Conjunction exhibition. This evocative landscape will become part of the performance as it frames the musicians during the concert.

Malek Mohammadi Nejad, a master of the setar native to Iran, together with Anna McDonald, an internationally renowned baroque violinist who now plays the kamancheh, created Jazmourian Ensemble while travelling together in Iran and Armenia for three years.

Their music was inspired by the mountains and deserts of these ancient lands, and by the Persian idea of music – that it is a sacred conversation between friends. They also draw on early western music to create an alchemical, interconnected musical language.

Approximately 75 minutes of music will be performed. Drinks and light refreshments will be available afterwards at the Drill Hall bar.