Ranjbaran: Persian Trilogy

et al Behzad Ranjbaran (Composer) (Artist), Behzad Ranjbaran (Performer), JoAnn Falletta (Composer, Orchestra), Lso (Conductor)

Product Details

• Performer: Behzad Ranjbaran
• Orchestra: JoAnn Falletta
• Conductor: Lso
• Composer: JoAnn Falletta
• Audio CD (October 26, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Delos Records
• ASIN: B0003JAHRE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #140,139 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Persian Trilogy

Editorial Reviews

Fanfare Magazine

...Very highly colorful, expertly scored... lively writing, huge, swirling climaxes... memorable fragments of tunes of a Persian nature...a properly confident orchestral composer...

Product Description

In this world premiere recording, American conductor JoAnn Falletta and the London Symphony Orchestra offer a remarkable performance of Behzad Ranjbaran's dramatic and colorful "Persian Trilogy" for orchestra. The orchestral cycle "Persian Trilogy," comprising Seven Passages, Seemorgh, and The Blood of Seyavash, takes its inspiration from ancient Persian legends, as recounted in the 11th century epic poem "Shahname" (The Book of Kings). A quote from the introduction to an English translation of the Book of Kings, still a respected classic a thousand years after its creation, touches on its cultural significance: "The Shahname has had a sustained and vital influence within its cultural tradition... it depicts the beliefs and values of Iranian society as they were before the coming of Islam..." Behzad Ranjbaran composed the cycle over a period of 10 years. His rich orchestrations, exciting rhythms, and powerful climaxes are balanced by lyricism and delicacy. An instantly accessible fusion of ancient and modern, this music leaves a lasting impression. Behzad says: "Seemorgh (Phoenix) was inspired by an ancient Persian legend about a giant magic bird and the struggle between good and evil." The piece is a ballet in seven scenes.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular, evocative music to thrilll, February 23, 2008

By	Brendan Townsend (Laredo, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I became aware of this music through my professional interaction with music publishers. I heard just a snippet of Seven Passages and knew that I wanted to hear more. The whole of Seven Passages thrilled me completely. It is full of vibrant colors, bright melody, energy and brilliant orchestration. Going beyond this first exposure to the work I got this recording of the complete trilogy and have enjoyed listening to it many times.

The recording by Joann Falletta and he London Symphony Orchestra is superb. The clarity of the recording brings to life the many subtle shades and sounds that are hidden throughout the score. The daring and imaginative orchestrations throughout and the internal character of each section of these wonderful stories are brought to life, are captured by the meticulous attention to the details of the score.

Each of the three works that make up this trilogy, while all finding inspiration in the great Persian epic poem "Shahnameh" are somewhat different in their character - perhaps representing the evolution of the composer over the 11 years that he was writing them. Seemorgh was the first to be written in 1989, followed by "The Blood of Seyavash" as a ballet in 1994, and Seven Passages in 1999 / 2000.

Seemorgh - in three movements - captures the beauty of the poem in very descriptive fashion. The orchestration reminds me of a cross between Rimsky-Korsakov and Ferde Grofe particularly in the Moonlight movement.

The Blood of Seyavash is a quite complex and more intellectual work. The program notes outline clearly how the composer used a style of thematic transformation to show how the story unfolds. The drama of the story can be heard throughout, and all I can say is that I wish I could see the ballet sometime!

Seven Passages is still my favorite, but I think that is because it was my first exposure to this music. The vibrancy and the energy and the brilliant orchestration are summation of everything that came before in the evolution of the composer and this trilogy.

I conducted Seven Passages with the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra recently and the audience reaction was exactly what mine had been on first hearing this music - sheer joy and enthusiasm!

If you enjoy exciting and evocative music that tells a story, you will love this recording of the Persian Trilogy.

Brendan Townsend
Music Director, Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have, January 9, 2007

By	T. Shade "hapopily retired teacher" (Reading, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Outstanding work. Very Sheharazade-like. Great performance. I first heard this piece played live with the composer in attendance. It is a wonderful experience.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Persian Trilogy is Vibrant and Exhilarating, March 29, 2007

By	William Lozier (Langhorne, PA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

All eleven movements in the Trilogy are full of livey passages. It's exciting to listen to and share. A true master work of a new age in "classical" music. I hight recommend it.