Multiphonics Festival: Chahaar – Shahyar, Mirarab, Maye, Cohen-Milo

In the organizer's words:

In 2008, the Iranian-Canadian singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Golnar Shahyar and the double-neck guitarist Mahan Mirarab settled in Vienna and began their impressive careers. A generational shift was taking place in the Viennese music scene: the traditionalist mindset was beginning to crumble, gradually giving way to an increased interest in experimentation and overcoming old aesthetic and cultural boundaries.
Golnar's musical endeavors and her passion for social justice fell on fertile ground. She quickly made a name for herself and is now widely recognized as one of the most accomplished vocal artists in European contemporary and improvised music.
Mahan's guitar playing combines European elements of chamber music with contemporary jazz forms. The result is a reinterpretation of classical Iranian music, as if Mozart was playing with microtonal maqam melodies. Both Mahan and Golnar want to create a new narrative in relation to the cultures of the Middle East and jazz through music.
Mahan and Golnar got to know the festival's musical director, Annette Maye, during various collaborations as part of the Multiphonics Festival. For the first time, they will be playing together with an old companion of Mahan's, the bassist and composer Haggai Cohen-Milo, known from the Omer Klein Trio, among others