Composer & Conductor Farnoosh Behzad and TV chef & food blogger Alireza head to the house with Persian recipes and music for our final Nowruz talk.
This talk will open with a traditional Iranian song sung by Leela Emadi aka Arghanun, which will kick off a greater discussion of the traditional music of Iran led by Farnoosh. Chef Alireza will contribute to the festivities with tales of traditional Persian dishes during Nowruz festivities, including some of his own delicious childhood memories.
Speakers
Farnoosh Behzad
Farnoosh Behzad, a multifaceted artist known for his roles as a teacher, composer, and conductor, specialises in composition and ethnomusicology. His conducting career has taken him to renowned venues including the Royal Albert Hall and South Bank. With a rich blend of academic expertise and a lifetime of accomplishments, Farnoosh adeptly crafts diverse musical styles.
Alireza Sarrafan
Alireza is a London-based TV chef, food blogger @Alirez.foods, and cooking instructor. His aim is to introduce Persian cuisine to his international social media followers and to show different world cuisines to his Persian audiences through digital videos, digital cooking shows, and TV programs. In this session, he is going to talk about traditional Persian dishes during Nowruz festivities and share some of his delicious childhood memories with the audience.
Singer
Leela Emadi
Leela Emadi, aka Arghanun, an Iranian traditional singer, transcends cultural boundaries with her captivating voice. Her recent Spotify release, "Az Jamadi," is a sonic tapestry inspired by the poetry of Rumi. For Arghanun, the voice isn't just an instrument; it's the conduit for soulful expression. As she states, "It's not me who sings; but my voice sings through me."
In her performance, Arghanun will navigate three sets of Avaz and Tasnif, each crafted in distinct Persian melodic styles (Gushe) and modal systems (Dastgah). The thematic heart of her presentation orbits around "Bahar," Persian term for Spring, breathing a sense of renewal and celebration into the ambiance.
