Journey to Iran Revisited: Celebrating 20 Years of Guity Adjoodani’s Return to Persian Roots

This year marks the 20th anniversary of “Journey to Iran,” an album by Iranian pianist Guity Adjoodani that has resonated with audiences worldwide. Released two decades ago, this album is a beautiful tapestry of twenty Persian folk songs, each carefully selected from the rich musical traditions of various regions in Iran. It also features four notable compositions by the esteemed Javad Maroufi (1915-1992): “Prelude,” “Jila Fantasia,” “Golden Dreams” (Khaab-haa-ye Talaayi), and “Isfahan Rhapsody.” Additionally, the album includes the beloved song “Kiss Me” (Maraa Bebous) by Majid Vafadar (1912-1975), adding depth to an already impressive collection.

At the heart of “Journey to Iran” is a commitment to authenticity and cultural representation. Most of the folk songs are drawn from a comprehensive four-volume book titled “Persian Folk Songs for Piano,” arranged by Siavash Beyzai, a composer and educator based in Tehran. Adjoodani took it upon herself to arrange “Kiss Me” along with two other pieces for piano, ensuring that her personal touch was evident throughout the album. While Maroufi’s composition on this album are performed close to their original forms, Adjoodani’s interpretations bring a fresh balance and harmony that breathe new life into these classic works.

Reflecting on her journey, Adjoodani shares, “The main reason for my sudden attraction to Persian music stems from my trip to Iran. While visiting numerous historical sites with my relatives, I realized that I had dedicated my life to Western Classical Music, despite having Persian blood flowing in my veins. I wondered why I had never engaged with the music of my homeland. This led to a deep enchantment with Persian music and a desire to return to my roots through it. I also felt compelled to introduce this music to foreigners who were unfamiliar with it. Initially, I attempted to arrange a few pieces for piano, but upon discovering Beyzai’s beautifully arranged work, I decided to incorporate it into my album. His arrangements were invaluable to me.”

Guity Adjoodani was born in 1946 in Tehran and began her piano studies at the tender age of five under the guidance of Khadijeh Sedghi (Behboud). At seven, her family immigrated to America, where she pursued her passion for music, earning a Master’s degree from the Boston Conservatory and a performance diploma from the New England Conservatory. Just before the Iranian Revolution, she captivated audiences with several concerts in Iran, including a memorable performance with the NIRT Chamber Orchestra at Shiraz’s Persepolis Arts Festival.

While much of Adjoodani’s career has centered around Western Classical Music, “Journey to Iran” signifies a poignant return to her Persian musical heritage. The album not only showcases her technical prowess but also serves as a bridge connecting diverse musical worlds. As we celebrate its 20th anniversary, “Journey to Iran” remains a testament to the power of music in transcending borders and uniting cultures, inviting listeners to embark on their journeys of discovery through sound.

This article is a rewrite of Pejman Akbarzadeh’s album review and interview that was published in 2004 on Harmonytalk.com.

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Transition to Enlightenment: Six Lectures on Mozart’s String Quartets (3)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a musical prodigy of the Classical era, was deeply influenced by the intellectual currents of the Enlightenment. His exposure to Enlightenment ideas was multifaceted, shaped not only by the cultural milieu of his time but also by the relationships within his family and his own interactions with prominent figures of the Enlightenment. This exploration will delve into Mozart’s acquaintance with Enlightenment ideas through his father’s relationships and his own encounters with influential personalities of the era, including Christian Fürchtegott Gellert, Baron Melchior Grimm, Madame d’Epinay, and Joseph von Sonnenfels. Additionally, the essay will examine the impact of Joseph II’s reforms on Mozart’s life and artistic endeavors.

Journey to Iran Revisited: Celebrating 20 Years of Guity Adjoodani’s Return to Persian Roots

This year marks the 20th anniversary of “Journey to Iran,” an album by Iranian pianist Guity Adjoodani that has resonated with audiences worldwide. Released two decades ago, this album is a beautiful tapestry of twenty Persian folk songs, each carefully selected from the rich musical traditions of various regions in Iran. It also features four notable compositions by the esteemed Javad Maroufi (1915-1992): “Prelude,” “Jila Fantasia,” “Golden Dreams” (Khaab-haa-ye Talaayi), and “Isfahan Rhapsody.” Additionally, the album includes the beloved song “Kiss Me” (Maraa Bebous) by Majid Vafadar (1912-1975), adding depth to an already impressive collection.

From Past Days…

Three singers in one larynx

Sima Bina (b. 1945) is a unique singer among the singers of Golha radio programmes which were broadcast on Iranian National Radio for 23 years from 1956 to 1979. She received her first lessons in music from her father who was a poet, a musician and the most important supporter of Sima’s cultural activities.

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.

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.

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Iranian Fallacies – Global Performance

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Layla Ramezan, Iranian Pianist

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The Structure of Kurdistan Daf (I)

Today, percussion instruments have such a high place in music that are an essential element of orchestras. This has attracted many people to this type of instrument with roots as old as the first humans. A historical study of music, shows that humans used the sound of these instruments to defend themselves against wild animals and, over time, for alerting each other, signaling their readiness and encouraging people for war, ritual ceremonies, dances, etc. in a manner that is still clearly visible in music and some ritual ceremonies.

Motherland Orchestra Broke the Spell of the Covid-19 Restrictions

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Violin’s inner mold, an essential factor in developing the idea of violin

A part of the secrets of the masterpieces from the golden era lies in the special design of the instruments, as a result of a profound insight to and awareness of the significance of the precise calculation of the various components of the object of arts being created, such as making a violin or a bow.

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.