Rokhs is an ensemble set with the desire to interpret pieces from the wider Persian classical musicrepertoire, without restricting itself to any particular era or region of the so-called Iranian world, thus presenting as one the many faces (rokh in Persian) of this important tradition. The project began in the winter 2021 as a duo, with friends Sogol Mirzaei on târ and Hossein Rad on vocals and percussions. A year later, two more renowned young musicians joined the project, thus a quartet: Ava Aresazan on oud and Sina Danesh on kamancheh, achieving a subtle and fertile harmony of tones and styles. Exploring Iranian Dastgâhi and ancient music, Uzbek-tadjik Shashmaqâm, and other repertoires of the region, the musicians of Rokhs seek to capture and highlight the common aesthetic essence that unites these different repertoires, from which to develop their own musical language. Echoing the Speech of the Birds by 12th century Persian Sufi poet Farid al-Din Attâr, here each instrument opens a new path in the quest for singularity yet participates in the creation of a desired collective being. The quartet first album was recorded in March 2023, and is due for release towards the end of this summer.
– Sogol Mirzaei : târ, setâr
– Ava Aresazan : ud
– Hossein Rad : vocals, tombak, dâyereh
– Sina Danesh : kemancheh, daf