Mohammad Reza Mortazavi: „Green Hands“

Mohammad Reza Mortazavi: „Green Hands“

Title | Green Hands
Artist | Mohammad Reza Mortazavi
Label | flowfish.records
Distribution | Broken Silence Independent Distribution
Release | May 28, 2010 (GAS)
Mohammad Reza Mortazavi (Tombak, Daf), All compositions and records by M.R. Mortazavi
Mohammad Reza Mortazavi: „Green Hands“
Green Hands
The album GREEN HANDS presents new compositions of Mohammad Reza Mortazavi, offering an
insightful view into the artistic work of this very special musician. Mortazavi performs tombak and
daf, both traditional Iranian hand drums, and creates an impression as if listenening to an entire
orchestra, with a style that reaches far beyond the realm of traditional music.
Daf is a frame drum generally played by Sufis in devotional ceremonies. The metal rings inside the
frame bring forth the characteristically crisp sound of this instrument. Tombak is a drum in the form
of a goblet, used principally in Persian music, with unique melodic tones. Under the spell of these
two instruments, Mortazavi started to develop new finger techniques, rhythmic variations and tonal
effects at an early age. Since then, he has introduced more than 30 techniques which he applies to an
endless variety of melodies, opening up a new era in the performance possibilities of hand drums.
GREEN HANDS, started in June 2009, also reflects the artist’s view on recent political events in Iran.
Mortazavi dedicates this album to the „Green Period“ in his home country, green symbolizing nature,
growth and a new beginning. He was born in 1979, the year when the Iranian Revolution began, and
this revolutionary spirit can clearly be felt in his work. Mortazavi‘s technical virtuosity is fueled by
his desire to play these two drums with honesty and curiosity, always finding fresh approaches and
ideas to take him further than ever before. This album is a revelation of his attempt to find release in
personal and musical freedom.
Aktuelle Informationen, Termine, Fotos und Downloads finden Sie immer unter:
www.moremo.de | www.flowfish.de
Kontakt, Promotion und Booking:
flowfish.music | basti hofmann | richardstrasse 29 | D-12043 berlin
tel +49 (0)30 56 82 29 56 | funk +49 (0)177 63 27 585
[email protected] | www.flowfish.de
Vertrieb: Broken Silence Independet Distribution
Biography Mohammad Reza Mortazavi
Mohammad Reza Mortazavi was born in Isfahan, Iran in 1979. His parents offered him the
chance to take tombak drum lessons at the age of 6. He was quick to feel the power of music
deep inside, and soon surpassed his teacher. The goblet-shaped tombak became the main
driving force in his life, and children of his age couldn’t distract him any longer. He was
captured by the music.
During the following years, he regularly won first prizes at the annual tombak music competition in Iran where only the country’s best players were given the chance to take part. Already at the age of 20, he was said to be among the world’s best. As he continued to further
build on the traditional approach through expressive innovations, his finger techniques and
tonal variations gave the tombak a new voice. He performed his compositions in front of
enthusiastic audiences in Teheran where his shows were regularly sold out.
When he was 22, he traveled to Germany for the first time, to perform to a much delighted
audience in Munich. He released several albums and was invited to give a series of concerts
in Europe, where his music received storms of applause. In 2003, he was chosen from among
600 competitors and received the World Music Young Talent Award at the international Ruth
Festival in Rudolstadt. Mohammad Reza Mortazavi‘s virtuosity has led him to the Berliner
Philharmonie where he gave a solo concert. To be honored to play in such prestigious halls
is one of the many achievements in his career. Currently he resides in Berlin.
Mohammad Reza Mortazavi released several Solo-CDs since 2002. In 2010 he started to work
with flowfish.music. The actual album „Green Hands“ will be released with flowfish.music on
May 28th 2010.
Kontakt, Promotion und Booking:
flowfish.music | basti hofmann | richardstrasse 29 | D-12043 berlin
tel +49 (0)30 56 82 29 56 | funk +49 (0)177 63 27 585
[email protected] | www.flowfish.de
Vertrieb: Broken Silence Independet Distribution