#contemporary improvisation

Yes, a string quartet concept...time to triple check everything and go to the printers tomorrow.

"# Scattering Stars Like Dust: The Enigmatic World of Kayhan Kalhor In the vast universe of music, where every note and rhythm tells a story, few artists can invoke such a sense of wonder and spirituality as Kayhan Kalhor. His album, “Scattering Stars Like Dust,” released in 2005, is a transcendent journey through the heart of traditional Persian music, laden with the emotional weight of improvisation and cultural depth. It’s a masterpiece that urges listeners to step outside the confines of their everyday lives and embark on a profound auditory experience. Kalhor, a virtuoso on the kamancheh, brings to life the intimate stories of his Persian heritage. Each track is a brushstroke on the vast canvas of human experience, illustrating the nuances of love, loss, and the search for identity. His music is a dialogue—an improvisation rather than a mere performance—where every phrase is a conversation with the listener, pulling at the heartstrings while simultaneously expanding the mind. The beauty of “Scattering Stars Like Dust” lies in its authenticity. This isn’t just a collection of tunes; it’s an exploration of what it means to be human. As you listen to the haunting melodies, you can almost feel the ancient winds of the Persian landscape whispering secrets of times long past. Kalhor’s craftsmanship illuminates the soul, inviting you to lose yourself within the tapestry of sound. Improvisation, in the hands of Kalhor, becomes a powerful tool for expression. It's a dance between structure and spontaneity, where each note blossoms organically. The album masterfully encapsulates this, with tracks that ebb and flow like the tides, offering both moments of chaos and serenity. It challenges the listener to engage actively, to embrace the uncertainty that comes with the unfolding musical narrative. Auto-generated content might spit out the facts, but nothing can quite capture the elation that arises from experiencing Kalhor's artistry firsthand. When you dive into “Scattering Stars Like Dust,” you’re not merely hearing music; you’re entering a world where every sound reverberates with emotion and wisdom. The album encourages us to break free from the mundane and connect with the larger cosmos—a reminder that we are all part of something greater. So, whether you’re a seasoned lover of world music or a curious newcomer, allow Kayhan Kalhor’s “Scattering Stars Like Dust” to awaken your senses. Immerse yourself in the rich textures and evocative tales spun through each note. This is music that doesn’t just exist to be played; it exists to be felt—an invitation to scatter your own stars and embrace the magic that lies within."

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The Jaeyu Quartet is this year's Wildcard group. Jaeyu means freedom and the members—Wonmi Jung, voice; DoYeon Kim, gayageum; Chris McCarthy, piano; and Eli Cohen, percussion—formed the quartet with the intention of exploring freedom collaboratively and purposefully. They explore concepts such as “What does freedom mean in music? How can we free ourselves from the boundaries of genre so often needlessly imposed? How can we create a space in which every member feels free to express themselves and their respective cultures? How can we use our music and our freedom to bring awareness and action to the myriad ‘unfreedoms,’ as economist Amartya Sen puts it, that exist in today's world?”

On November 4, 2014, New England Conservatory's Contemporary Improvisation department presented Music of John Zorn: A 35-Year Retrospective. Curated by John Zorn and Anthony Coleman, the concert included NEC’s faculty, students, and ensembles performing repertoire drawn from Zorn projects that spanned three and a half decades of work and a wide variety of musical idioms. Recording engineer: Nick Davison