15.2.2015

RASTAK - KAMKARAN - IMAMYAR HASANOV

Rastak a new ensemble for contemporary Persian folk music was formed as an experimental music group in 1997. The group seeks to collect, record and interpret traditional Persian folk music for a global audience, incorporating language, culture and history also merging traditional instruments and forms with contemporary rhythms. The musicians who comprise Rastak have graduated from the best universities in Iran and have done extensive research into Persian folk music. 

The Kamkars (Kurdish: Kamkaran کامکاران, Persian: کامکارها‎) is a Kurdish family of seven brothers and a sister, all from the city of Sanandaj, the capital of theKurdistan province. They are one of the leading musical ensembles in Iran andIraq today. Their repertoire ranges from the vast array of traditional Kurdish andPersian music with its poignant, entrancing melodies and uplifting high energy rhythms to the classical Kurdish and Persian classical music of Iran. The repertoire of Kurdish music is richly diverse and deeply rooted in the ancient history and culture of its proud and passionate people. It speaks of epic tales and wars, romantic love, and recounts ancient myths and stories of national and religious heroes, some of which date back to thousands of years to the time of the ancient medes and Persians."^[1]

The group has performed numerous concerts around the world, including their performance at the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony honoring Shirin Ebadi.

Imamyar Hasanov is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso on kamancha and for his versatility as a arranger, bridging the vast divide between his traditional scales and those of other cultures. Having impressive credentials, he leads the field with his experience and vision to catapult Azeri music onto the world stage.

As an artist of impeccable character, Mr. Hasanov is a uniquely gifted musician with numerous achievements in fostering the vitality and public appreciation of Azeri traditional music. With his extensive knowledge of both Azeri traditional and Western classical music, knowledge of many of the world’s traditional instruments, and innovative arranging technique, Mr. Hasanov has not only contributed to the preservation of Azeri traditional music, but has created a body of work which has brought this music to the forefront of both the classical and world music fields.

Imamyar Hasanov was born in Baku, Azerbaijan.  He started playing the kamancha at the age of 7 and eventually became the youngest soloist in Azerbaijan's National Music Instruments Orchestra. He has a Master's Degree in Art and Music from the Azerbaijan State Conservatory named after Uzeyir Hajibeyov.

Imamyar is a dynamic virtuoso who performs Azerbaijani and Middle Eastern traditional improvisations as well as European classics for the first time as a kamancha soloist.   He organized the first tar, kamancha, and piano instrumental trio in Azerbaijan named ''Gala" which took first place in competition "Seeking Talents" in Azerbaijan in 1996.Imamyar Hasanov is the winner of various national and classical music competitions in Azerbaijan and has participated in several music festivals all over the world.

Highlights of his work included   "Undiscovered Treasure Kamancha of Azerbaijan" George Town university (2005), "Nowruz Project" San Francisco World Music Festival (2005), "Silk Road Bayram" Indiana University (2005), "Best Kept Secret of World Music" George Washington University (2007), "Here Comes The Sea, Followed By The Ocean" San Francisco World Music Festival (2007), " The Reeds Give Way To The Wind " San Francisco World Music Festival (2008), " Nowruz  Festival " Istanbul (2010), "Passage to Dawn" North America and Europe Tore  (2010), "Great Lake" Folk Festival (2010), "Richmond Folk Festival" (2011), "The Epic Project" San Francisco World Music Festival (2011), "Race: Are We So Different?" Science Museum of Virginia (2012), "Loopino Festival" Luxembourg   Philharmonie (2012)