Behzad Ranjbaran

Shiraz

An ode to the city of Shiraz in southern Iran; many of Behzad Ranjbaran's melodic; rhythmic; and musical characters are inspired by Persian culture and its vocal and instrumental music. Movement one; 'The Weeping Willow'; was influenced by the composer's vision of three poets in a gentle but heated poetic discourse; with a musical phrase beginning with one instrument and then circulated and repeated in a refined exchange. The second movement refers to a river in Shiraz often cited in Iranian poetry. The composer elaborates: 'As the opening [of the second movement] descends into the whispering murmur of water waves; it soon builds to climactic crashing chords; all pointing to the vitality of life represented by the river. There is also allusion to the playful character of folk music with irregular rhythmic patterns; repeated short melodies; and jesting pizzicato sections….propelling the piece to an energetic conclusion.'