Interview with the Makers of the New Qeychak (III)

Translated by Mahboube Khalvati


Soudeh Mofidi (An RZW member since 2012)

In this project, my specialized responsibility  was the basic drawings of the desired instrument with the help of engineering and mechanical software.  I have also the carried out phases related to engineering designs, related variables, and volume and weight calculations under Mr. Ziaei’s direct supervision from the very beginning. Regarding the challenges of this work, suffice it to say that the set of designs for the instrument lasted more than 9 months in the final stage of the project only.


Farzad Shalpoush (An RZW member since 2015)

My contribution to this project includes designing some visual elements, for example, sound holes and designs of decorative elements based on the Iranian aesthetics, doing the stages for making and assembling necks, preparing and varnishing, assisting in reaching the desired thickness for plates and assisting in technical designing and making pieces such as tail pieces. Due to the difficulties and subtleties of neck structures, decorative elements and sound holes, the project faced considerable technical complications; however, we tried to do it with an optimal quality.


Neda Asadinejad (An RZW member since 2014)

My responsibilities in this project included assisting with designing sound holes, designing and preparing early samples of the neck structure according to the Iranian aesthetics, making parts such as saddle and nuts and participating in research phases.

Considering that in redesigning the parts of a structure such as an instrument both aesthetic elements and mechanical, acoustic and physical principles should be taken into account, finding an optimal balance point for redesigning visual elements of the instrument was as one of the challenges of the project.

Farshad Shalpoush (An RZW member since 2016)

Assisting with carving and preparing patterns, determining the thickness of the bowl, making fingerboards and making neck heel button consisted the majority of my responsibilities in this project. I also collaborated in the early stages of preparing executive patterns, preparing colors and color coating and some other executive activities. Compared to the previous samples, the thickness of the bowls in the new samples has been considered with special sensitivity to stabilize the acoustic properties, to the extent that the variation of the thickness in different areas has been achieved through a new perspective. This important point carries a set of subtleties and difficulties for implementation.

Amir Khamseh (An RZW member since 2012)

My job description in this project encompassed participation in designing some instrument components including early samples of sound holes and neck structure based on the Iranian aesthetics, preparing early samples of plates, contribution to designing and making an exclusive bridge for the new instrument based on acoustic demands, preparation of three-dimensional models of the instrument using engineering software, historical research and research related to the Iranian aesthetics and physics of the instrument, i.e., calculations of the volume of the resonating air and the area of sound holes. When it comes to a project of this magnitude, it is necessary to be ready at any moment for a change or for taking a measure for improving the instrument, especially considering the complexity of the activity as a whole and various opinions. Such challenges can only be overcome through empathy.

Final Words

It should be noted that in addition to the main and permanent members of the current RZW team who have been permanently involved in the new project, other individuals, including Mr. Khoshbakhti, one of the old workshop members, have participated in the process of making the improved pattern. We would like to use this opportunity and appreciate him. Also, we would like to express our thanks to other friends who have cooperated with us at some stages of this project for a limited period of time: Mr. Saeed Jalali, for making the initial version of the molds of bowls of ribs; Ms. Sara Issazadeh and Ms. Nadia Shalpoush, for doing some phases of gouging bowls, plates and sound holes for early versions of the instrument.

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The Legacy of Khosrow Jafarzadeh

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of Khosrow Jafarzadeh (Khosrow Djafar-Zadeh), a distinguished architect and pioneering researcher of Iranian music, whose contributions to the magazine “Harmony Talk” have left an indelible mark on the field. The absence of this remarkable individual has significantly impacted the expansion and advancement of his theories, which are heralded as some of the most progressive in the history of Iranian music

Whose dream?! Whose reality?!

(A review of the “So Faraway” album; Tar and Tonbak duet; Siavash Imani, Pedram Khavarzmini)

From Past Days…

Kayvan Mirhadi and O.R.P Qaurtet

Establishing O.R.P. Quartet is Kayvan Mirhadi’s latest activity as a guitarist, composer and conductor of Kamerata Orchestra. Besides working with this Quartet, Mirhadi is busy these days recording and mixing some of his own works as well as some pieces by 20th century composers. O.R.P Quartet performed a concert in Rasht, Gilan Province in late May 2016 and offered a master class.

Rouhollah Khaleghi Artistic Center established in Washington DC

Golnoush Khaleghi (1941-2021), a Washington-based Persian musician and the daughter of the contemporary Persian (Iranian) composer and theoretician Rouhollah Khaleghi (1906-1965) founded a musical center called RKAC to keep the name and the work of her father alive.

Henry Cowell: “Persian Set”

Persian Set: Four Movements for chamber orchestra: Moderato; Allegretto; Lento; Rondo

Henry Cowell, one of the most innovative American composers of the 20th century, was born in 1897. Cowell and his wife visited Iran in 1956 and stayed there the whole winter, upon the invitation by the Iranian Royal Family, when he composed his album “Persian Set” in four movements for chamber orchestra. His composition is expressive of the characteristic quality of the Persian or the Iranian music.

Is the Iranian National Anthem a Copy? (II)

In response, it should be said that it is better for the national anthem of a country to use the musical material exclusive to that country; however, some problems might come up in doing so the most important of which include: lack of familiarity of other countries’ music performer with the concerned country’s specific music intervals and special musical technique; and secondly, the strangeness of that music to the foreign listener.

Homayoun Rahimian & Iran’s National Orchestra

The Roudaki Foundation presented the permanent conductor of the National Orchestra (Orchestr Melli), Homayoun Rahimian, in a ceremony, and finally, after four years, the national orchestra found a permanent conductor. Homayoun Rahimian is the fourth permanent conductor of this orchestra after Farhad Fakhreddini, Bardia Kiaras, and Fereidoun Shahbaziyan. He, who has previously had experience of conducting concerts besides being Meister’s concert of this orchestra, performed the concert “Autumns” on the 20th of Tir, performing works by Rouhollah Khaleqi, Javad Ma’roufi, and Hossein Dehlavi.

A Look at Ali Tajvidi’s Manifold Musical Activities (I)

Ali Tajvidi (1920 – 2004), one of the most prominent Iranian musicians, passed away sixteen years ago. He was one of the most distinguished Iranian artists. To specify one of the fields in which he was unique, one can refer to Tasnif composition. A brief review of his manifold musical activities is presented below.

The Legacy of Khosrow Jafarzadeh

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of Khosrow Jafarzadeh (Khosrow Djafar-Zadeh), a distinguished architect and pioneering researcher of Iranian music, whose contributions to the magazine “Harmony Talk” have left an indelible mark on the field. The absence of this remarkable individual has significantly impacted the expansion and advancement of his theories, which are heralded as some of the most progressive in the history of Iranian music

A Persian Nocturne for Piano

A Night in a Persian Garden is the name of a Nocturne composed by the Persian (Iranian) contemporary composer Behzad Ranjbaran. This Nocturne, published recently by the Theodore Presser Company in the US, was performed for the first time in 2002 in New York City by the young Persian pianist Soheil Nasseri and has enjoyed many performances by other pianists.

Principles of Violin Playing (I)

The present series of training articles, “Principles of Violin Playing”, seek to help students, to appropriately understand this field, by gradually introducing, categorizing, and teaching the myriad relevant points. One of the principles of playing violin, which must be always kept in mind, is that the selection of the most natural position for the body parts while playing is the best and most appropriate solution. As a matter of fact, any unnatural body part position which requires lots of energy or unusual stretching to maintain, is wrong.

Harmony in the Iranian Music (II)

One of his works was the translation of Harmony, which was carried out with the help of Mozayyan al-Dowleh, and included a pamphlet based on which he used to teach the subject to the students of the school of music; the pamphlet was never published. It was, in fact, a kind of simple harmony for the piano with no quadriads, it rather featured the engagement of both the right hand and the left hand which was being taught at the music school for the first time. Salar-Mo’azez also composed military marches and hymns for schools, which he harmonized to be performed and piano. Likewise, he used to compose for military orchestras.