Iranian-Norwegian performer Javid Afsari Rad plays the ancient stringed instrument santur with great virtuosity. Santur means "one hundred strings," and Western listeners might be more familiar with the instruments distant relatives’ cimbalon and chopping board. In Iran, santur plays a vital role in an extensive and rich traditional repertoire – a repertoire Afsari Rad masters after years of training with the great icons of classical Persian music. But when Javid Afsari Rad plays his solo concerts, the audience will hear his own music which is inspired by other world music traditions - from Senegal to India - as well as Western classical music.

When Afsari Rad creates new music for the fragile petite instrument santur, he views the instrument as an entire orchestra, and weaves a rich sonic canvas that can be contemplative one moment and intense, hypnotic in the next.

Javid Afsari Rad is a member of percussion ensemble Zarbang and leads his own Rumi Ensemble. In 2007 he wrote an orchestral piece for the Norwegian Radio Orchestra that was awarded the 2008 KORK-award. The duo’s album Afarinesh (‘Origin’) saw its release in December 2009.

Javid Afsari Rad | santur
Kaveh Mahmudiyan  | tombak
 

SOUNDCHECK // www.myspace.com/javidafsarirad