A multicultural collaboration of Eastern and Western musical traditions that transcends time and borders.
With guest artists Amir Amiri (santur), Hamin Honari (tombak and daf), and Vidita Kanniks(soprano), “East is East” brings together music with ancient roots in Persia, India and Europe, performed on traditional and period instruments. In the 17th and 18th centuries, colonialism resulted in the exoticism and appropriation of Eastern music and culture. What was considered “Oriental” musical style had little to do with actual music performance traditions in the East and was based on particular idiosyncrasies defined by European composers. A postmodern response to colonisation, this program highlights shared commonalities and a convergence of Eastern and Western performance practice. From shared improvisations on a ground bass to exploring the Persian Radif system, “East is East” features works composed by Amiri, Fux and Monteverdi, and inspired by Persian, Indian, and European traditional dances.
