Avaz-e Dashti, arr. 2001

Traditional
Iran

Instrumentation:
setar (bowed lute), ney (flute), santur (hammer dulcimer)

Azav-e Dashti illustrates the powerful relationship between the discipline of tradition and creative freedom of innovation within it. Ensemble members Kayhan Kalhor, Siamak Aghaei and Siamak Jahangiry are masters of Iranian classical music, and their skill is in making traditional melodic motifs come alive in the moment of performance through the spirit of improvisation. On Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet, they improvise on a collection of motifs known as Avz-e Dashti using the setar [SEH tar] (long-necked Persian lute), santur [SAN toor] (hammer dulcimer) and ney [nay] (an end-blown bamboo flute traditionally linked with the mystical music of Islamic Sufism).