Âhūye Kūhī for Violin and Cello
Co-Commissioned by: Lucia Lin and the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music as part of In Tandem
Premiere: April 29, 2021 (Virtual) – Lucia Lin, Violin and Leo Eguchi, Cello
Programme Notes
A concern for the destruction of the environment has been present in the arts for centuries. Poetry is at the heart of the Iranian culture, and much to my surprise, I discovered that one of the oldest known verses of Farsi poetry in Arabic rhythm, written by the 8th century poet Abu Hafs, expresses concern regarding the displacement of animals (at least at a literal level), asking how a mountain gazelle (Âhūye Kūhī) may be expected to survive on a plain, away from its home and companions. This piece explores the idea of displacement, the shrinking, and destruction of one’s habitat, one of the most concerning effects of climate change, which often results in extinction. And what will remain of the human race, when our planet becomes uninhabitable?
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Recording
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