Letters of Commendation

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Prof. Ellen Echeverria

Traces of Ancient Persian Melodies in Andalusia
(lecture-recital)
September 26th, 2007

Prof. Victor Vicente

Classical Music of Persia
(lecture-recital)
October 17, 2007

Prof. Laura Renninger

Classical Music of Persia
(lecture-recital)
October 22, 2007

REVIEWS

“I was completely entranced by Ms. Bahrami’s music. I was simply blown away with her mastery of the instrument. The range of emotions in her music captivated me. With one instrument she was able to create sounds it takes a whole orchestra to create. Her dedication and love for music was obvious, you could hear it when she spoke of music and see it when she played. It was, in some ways, how I imagined Ziryab. I learned more about the history of Persian music and how it traveled to Spain. Ms. Bahrami’s music really demonstrated to me the power of music. Her music brought out many different emotions in me that were otherwise hidden.” Renee Nichols, Student.

“When she began to play, the music was unlike anything I had ever heard. The sound produced was very trance like and at the same time sort of mysterious in a way. This feeling was especially intensified when she read poetry while playing, as the tone she spoke in sent chills down your spine. What made the recital ever more fascinating though was the thought that people sat and listened to this instrument being played over 1,200 years ago. It was a great experience, which taught me that age does not matter when it comes to a tradition such as the one we engaged in.” Sam Taterka, Student.

“Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a recital offered by an expert in the Persian music of Andalusia in conjunction with the Dean’s Seminar. It was a fascinating lecture and performance and I want to thank Professor Echeverria and Professor Ahlquist of the Music Department for making it possible.” Katherine Zapantis Keller, Assistant Dean, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences,The George Washington University.

“Thank you for organizing this wonderful concert! The music had a hypnotic quality to it, and I was sometimes listening as if in trance. I envy your students who learn to understand and appreciate such beautiful and mysterious layers of culture.” Dr. Peter Rollberg, Chair, Department of Romance, German, and Slavic Languages and Literatures

“Roya's concert was breathtaking. The music was so precise and deep with meaning, that I found it to be entrancing. The way she moved the lines to consist of a melody and a base line was shocking since it was only one instrument making the sounds of many. Her lecture before was really helpful to re-establish the dates and history of the music. It helped clarify the ancestry behind such sounds. Her music taught me a lot about other cultures' music. I realized that even if you cannot understand the words being sung, you can still hear the meaning behind the tones. I saw a deeper side to European music through her recital. I honestly want to look up more music like hers. This was a great idea for a class and really helped establish a more concrete view on everything we've been learning about. Thanks!” Cait Hartney, Student.

“I thoroughly enjoyed Roya Bahrami's presentation today! She is an amazing musician. I could really feel the mysticism that she spoke about being tied with these songs. When she played, I felt as if put in a trance. The music sounded beautiful, and definitely conveyed so much more emotion live than on a cd. I also am really glad she could get a percussionist, because the drums definitely added to the performance. Her speech was also really good in that it especially underscored what we have been learning in class. ” Marissa Ciampi, Student.

Regarding concert ‘A Musical Pilgrimage to Iran’:

“Her performance of selections from her new cd, "ROYA" displayed an amazing grasp of harmonics, ensemble collaboration, and nuance, alike. Boasting a tone akin to burnished copper, the santur hints at the poetry of Rumi and the ancient gardens of centuries gone. The piece titled Carmela demonstrated how seamlessly syncretic Iranian and Spanish music can sound.   Often, percussion anchors a fly-away melody which might seem too ephemeral without a substantive beat.  In Roya's compositions, though, the djembe and riqq seemed to give wings to the santur, elevating the work to something magical I got chills listening. While the performance was billed as a Musical Pilgrimage to Iran, I thought it was a one-way ticket to heaven.”  Peter H. Burris, Washington D.C. October 8, 2007.

“How nice to have your CD too - to draw out your concert without end. I enjoyed it immensely - much more than some other very well known folks with more musicians, etc. Just the right blends and touches with plenty of soul and heart forthcoming and communicating. I am so impressed how you integrated the various threads and streams into a beautiful Unity of music. The Flamenco was particularly impressive -- each note progression was a leap into a vast unknown space -- new sounds and exchanges, which produced beautiful harmonies, and cadences. The way you brought the English versions of the gorgeous expressive poetry and then sang the Farsi felt almost independent, as it if was part of the song, with notes interwoven. All in all there was so much depth of expression. I have seldom heard Rumi or Hafiz applied more beautifully. The whole thing was great. Thank you! I am so glad I could be there!” Amy Wilson, Visual Artist, Washington D.C., September 5, 2007.

“I was able to attend your performance and wanted you to know how much I enjoyed it. My two daughters both now students at UMD came with me (at first reluctantly and only because I once played the Santur) but it is a tribute to you that they both loved it and immediately asked for your CD which we now have all listened to many times. It it a pleasure to see you succeed in reaching not just ours but the younger generation through the fusion that they need as they are born into it.” Dr. Mina Marefat, AIA, Design Research, Washington D.C., September 5, 2007.

Regarding new album ‘Roya’ via CDBaby.com/royabahrami, September 2007

“I enjoyed her CD very much including Roya's beautiful voice. It is hard to pick a favorite song since they are all great.” Azita

“I was truly moved by the music and songs on this CD. They show a unique and unsual combination of talent, passion, and spirtuality.” Hossein Samiei

“My favorite is "Message". I can close my eyes and see the Flamenco dancers. Another favorite is "The Beloved"; it is mellow and very soothing. All of the songs and mix of styles are great, and the introduction "On The Path" is awesome. You certainly are very talented.” Frank Klisch

“Thank you for inspiring our spirits with your talent. I keep playing your CD all the time-- it made me more serious to learn Santur.” Pezhman Akbari

“The music transports the listener to faraway lands. She is a gifted musician and I highly recommend this CD to anyone that loves Persian music.” Shirin Z Tehrani

Mahnaz Afkhami, CEO  and President, Women's Learning Partnership. August 21, 2007, regarding The Album Roya: “It is stunning. You have done a great job blending the music and poetry."

Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak, Director, The Center for Persian Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD. April 13, 2007: “Ms. Roya Bahrami is a master composer and hammer dulcimer player, who plays traditional Persian music and is doing some exciting work within the genre of traditional Persian music.”

Dr. David Cain, Professor of Religion, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA. January 27, 2007: “Thank you again for the splendid performance at University of Mary Washington on Friday evening, 19 January. To send you a few words regarding my reaction as one coming utterly new to the santur and to your music: First, a rain of notes, a complexity of sound which seems greater than the striking of strings with two mallets could ever produce. Sometimes I hear a piano. Sometimes the sounds seem more guitar-like. The sound changes color as it evokes its own time--and space—with magical allure. Your own voice is wonderfully suited to your instrument. As an indication of this: I was aware, well into the music, of when you began to sing. I was never aware that the singing had ceased. Thank you for your artistry. Thank you for your gift.”

Dr. Laura Renninger, Associate Professor of Music, Department of Music and Theater, Shepherd University, WVA. November 14, 2006: “Dear Roya, Thank you so much for sharing your talent and expertise with our world music class. The students found your presentation enjoyable and enlightening. Please let us know when you have concerts scheduled in the D.C. area. We are looking forward to having you back next fall. Thanks again and all the best.”

Mahnaz Afkhami, President and CEO, Women’s Learning Partnership, Washington DC. September 14, 2006: “Dear Roya, It was wonderful to see you and to hear your exhilarating performance last Sunday. As an Iranian I was proud to share the work of such a talented compatriot with my colleagues from around the world. Many thanks and with my warmest good wishes.”

Jon Seligman, Percussion Music Faculty, Department of Music, McDaniel College. April 6, 2006: “Your performances touched quite a few people. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing you and playing as well.”

Dr. Mohamed Esa, Associate Professor, Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages, McDaniel College. April 2006: “Her lecture/performance were excellent.”

Catherine Thomas, The Oregonian, Monday, October 24, 2005: “In the space of a solo on the stage of the Portland Art Museum's Grand Ballroom, flamenco artist Carmela Greco distilled a power that comes only with age. "Intimo," which played Thursday night, was a welcome return to the pleasures of flamenco puro with soulful ballads by guitarist Richard Marlow, vocalist/percussionist El Yiyiand Persian composer Roya Bahrami on santur.”

Jon Seligman, Percussion Music Faculty, Department of Music, McDaniel College. November 11, 2004: “Thanks again for coming up to play last night.  The music you're writing is beautiful and really fun to play. 

Dr. Laura Renninger, Associate Professor of Music, Department of Music and Theater, Shepherd University, WV: “Thanks Roya!  I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the presentation!” (November 2004). “Thanks again Roya for the outstanding presentation!  The students said it was "the coolest thing ever".  That's a direct quote! “ (November 2003). “Thank you again for coming in this week and playing for the class.  I have heard so many wonderful comments from the students -- they really enjoyed hearing the santur!” (December 2002). 

AUDIO GLIPHIX music review magazine, 1999: “Probe is Sunday morning music. Newspaper and brunch. Intricate instrumental compositions that draws from various ethnic cultures. The principles, composer Said Amintinat and santur arranger Roya Bahrami are both classically trained musicians originally from Iran. Collaborators Barry Dove, (U.S. born percussionist), Afghanistan native Humayun Farzad (vocals) and tabla player Debu Nayak, originally from India, round out the ensemble. By exploring the music of their homelands alone, this album spans the globe. But Probe goes further. The ensemble delves into Spanish gypsy traditional, American jazz, Gamelan music from Southeast Asia, Afro Cuban rhythms and Raga cycles from India. ‘Probe’ is like listening to a four act play, where the music is the star. The compositions move you through each act.”

OASIS CD Manufacturing, 1999: "Weeping Clown is very beautiful, as, indeed, was your whole CD. I'm very impressed & touched by your work.”

PJL, Dirty Linen, The magazine of folk and world music, June/July 2000: “Probe (Probe Music Productions (1999)) This release marks the debut of Iranian due Said Amintinat (guitar) and Roya Bahrami (santur). They present a sparkling and rhythmically sophisticated mix of new age, Persian, Indian, Gypsy, and jazz musics. The two play well off of each other, and get very capable help from Barry Dove (percussion), Humayun Farzad (vocals and harmonium), and Debu Nayak (tabla). While they are often in danger of drifting off into the ether of new-age spaciness, Nayak's tabla and Farzad's well-phrased vocals keep them on track. Fans of Oregon will find much to like here.”

SIGI, A Publication of The Sisterhood is Global Institute. Fall/Winter 1997: “Roya Bahrami, who has played the santur for audiences around the world, performed a magnificent set of arranged pieces, many of which were her own compositions.”

Karen Abelsen, Ballard News-Tribune. Seattle, WA. April 30, 1997: “Roya Bahrami is a masterful performer of the Iranian santur.”

Mahnaz Afkhami, Executive Director, Foundation for Iranian Studies, May 24, 1989: “Dear Ms. Bahrami: On behalf of the Foundation for Iranian Studies and the participants of the Resident Associate Program of the Smithsonian institution’s course on the arts of Timurid Persia I would like to thank you for your splendid performance on the Santur. Your fine rendition of Persian classical music made the reception following the final session a wonderful experience for all who were present. Wishing you great success in your future professional and artistic endeavors, I thank you for your support of the Foundation’s program and for your wonderful performance.”