Mahya plays on - despite the "devastation" back home
Amid continuing, ongoing, “devastating” fear and uncertainty over events back home in Iran, pianist Mahya Mahroomi returns once again to the Festival of Chichester after her festival debut last year.
She is offering Classical Threads, Persian Colours on June 23 from 19:00-20:00 at the University Chapel (Chapel of the Ascension), College Lane, Chichester, PO19 6PE, with tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/classical-threads-persian-colours-tickets-1987059504468?aff=oddtdtcreator
The concert bridges two worlds as the intricate elegance of Western classical music meets the unique textures of contemporary Iranian compositions. Mahya promises an evocative programme that highlights the dialogue between tradition and innovation, East and West, exploring dialogue, contrast and connection.
Mahya is joined by Laleh Abbasi who plays the Ney (Persian flute), a traditional wooden wind instrument with a deeply expressive and almost vocal quality.
It all follows on from last year’s concert East in the West: From Classical Roots to Persian Resonance.
Mahya said: “Last year was very good. That was the first time for me organising an event like that. I did everything by myself and it was a big success even though it was just a beginning. It wasn't that big but it proved to me that I could do something like this and that I could expand my work and establish myself. It was a very good point to start at. I knew the town and I knew my audience and I knew the venue. Everything went so smoothly and it was all so friendly and I had some great feedback.
“What happened then was that I got invited to play some different places on different occasions. I got the chance to play in the Westminster Music Library which was a great opportunity. I had the chance because of the type of music that I was playing which was something they wanted. It was London and it was a big audience and you've got the diversity. I have been invited back there in July. It's very exciting.”
As for the situation back home, Mahya admits it is devastating: “It is not easy to wake up every day and check the news and look what else is being hit and what else has happened to our country and its infrastructure.
“But historically our Iranian culture is very resilient. We have been through a lot down the centuries. Iran is a very ancient civilization and we know that we can survive because we have been through so much already. We know that we will survive and we know that we will find how to build our life again. It's related to our mindset and how we see the world. I really admire my country's resilience. The people inside the country have been through so much but who am I to judge? But for us outside of the country, you still feel the pain.
“But you just carry on. You have to carry on. Wars come and go and politicians come and go. They are not eternal. What is eternal is our culture and our resilience and our history.
“But you have to ask yourself difficult questions. Before the war and then after the war we are different people. We are someone different. People are all living in the moment right now. The people in Iran just don't know what is going to happen in the next minute.
“But what matters is our country as a whole. What matters are the things that make our nation great, the things that save us and that keep us as Iran. We are truly proud of our history and our culture.”