Sina Ettehad & Sanaz Sotoudeh: Two Iranian Folk Songs
About the Music
PERFORMERS
Sina Ettehad, kamanche
Sanaz Sotoudeh, piano
PROGRAMME
1. Come to Me, Darling
2. Drunk Love
Traditional folk songs arranged by Iraj Sahbayie
“Come to me Darling” and “Drunk Love” are two well-known Iranian folk songs originating from the centre of Iran. The pieces are arranged by Iraj Sahbayie, an Iranian-French composer and conductor. Despite being arranged for solo piano, Sanaz and I decided it would be an interesting addition to have the melody played on the kamancheh, the Iranian spike fiddle. We have also added an introduction and transitions to connect the stories of each piece together.
Generally folk melodies are arranged in a simplified structure to create ease in performing. These arrangements however create a beautiful contrast between simple melody lines and intriguing, modern harmonies. In the text of the original folk song, “Come to me Darling”, a young man is asking his loved one to come sit with him. By having his loved one close, all of his pain is released and he feels at peace. In “Drunk Love”, the text speaks of the all consuming love between two people and the need to always be close to them. Both texts speak of the fundamental desire for human connection.
We’re so happy to be a part of VICO’s Global Sound Festival (Digital Edition) and to perform these arrangements for you all. – Sina Ettehad
About the Artists
Sina Ettehad (kamanche) has performed in Iran, Canada and the United States. He was a core member of the Kereshmeh Ensemble and is currently a member of the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, Zaryab Ensemble, Raha Ensemble and Wind Band. Sina has also composed and performed for numerous film and theatre productions.
Sanaz Sotoudeh (piano) is a versatile pianist in both solo and collaborative repertoire. She has appeared in recitals at various venues and festivals around Europe, North America and Middle-East, and has performed and collaborated with well-known musicians, artists and orchestras around the world. She has appeared on BBC Radio 3 in the UK, on Okarina Musique TV in France, Boiler Room TV in the UK, and on Abu Dhabi TV in UAE. Sanaz has performed with Daniel Barenboim’s ‘Westeastern Divan Orchestra’ in Spain; NSO UAE national orchestra at Emirates Palace; Middle-East choir festival at Dubai Opera House; Vancouver Opera Orchestra at Orpheum Theatre; UK tour with Japanese-Anglo Society; Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal company; Matt Haimowitz’s ‘Tryptich’ project at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; Zahed Sultan’s ‘Hiwar’ multimedia project at Red-bull Music Festival and Boiler Room TV in London, UK; and ‘Orient in Song’ with ASPECT art&music foundation at King’s Place London, UK. Sanaz completed both her B.Mus and M.Mus in solo piano performance at McGill University with Marina Mdivani, pupil of Emil Gilels. In 2011, she completed her post-graduate studies in solo piano performance at the Royal Academy of Music London, UK, studying with British pianists Julius Drake and Christopher Elton. She has also attended the Franz-Schubert Institute in Austria and the Académie Francis Poulenc in France on scholarships. She is thankful for the great support of a Cork Entrance full Scholarship and a Kathleen Trust Grant towards her studies.
Production Credits
Audio Engineer & Mix – Sheldon Zaharko
Recorded in July 2020 at Pyatt Hall in the VSO School of Music, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
For the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra:
Artistic Director & Producer – Mark Armanini
Composer-in-Residence & Senior Project Manager – Farshid Samandari
Production Manager & Communications – Melanie Thompson
Marketing & Production Assistant – Gina Hernandez Sanchez
Operations Manager – Devni De Silva
View the whole Global Soundscapes Festival: Digital Edition 2021 programme.
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