Franghiz Ali-Zadeh
Mugam Sayagi: Kronos Quartet, Franghiz Ali-Zadeh, piano (Nonesuch)
Those who are tired of the same-old contemporary classical music should get hold of this latest Nonesuch CD by the ever-questing Kronos Quartet. The Kronos’ four members (David Harrington, John Sherba, Hank Dutt and Jennifer Culp) have teamed up with the Azerbaijani composer and pianist Franghiz Ali-Zadeh to present four of her works.
Ali-Zadeh, born in Baku in 1947, has long been interested in synthesizing contemporary classical music, especially 12-tone influences, with the musical culture of her native land, a veritable melting pot of Arabic, Persian and Russian influences. “Mugam Sayagi” — which translates as “in the style of mugam,” Central Asia’s answer to the Indian raga — refers to traditional Azerbaijani music that incorporates sudden shifts in style and a gradual buildup of rhythmic intensity bordering on the ecstatic,
As the liner notes explain, “Ali-Zadeh uses the dozen scales of Azerbaijani mugam to create rich harmonies whose poignant dissonances capture ever-changing nuances of feeling.” The result is music at once non-Western and Western, exotic and approachable, astringent and fluid, simple and multilayered. The Kronos Quartet and Ali-Zadeh bring it all to life with consummate skill, whether in the two quartets (“Oasis,” “Mugam Sayagi”) or the “Apsheron Quintet” and solo “Music for Piano.” This is intriguing and ear-opening repertory, and it should be of strong interest to adventure-minded listeners who are intrigued by today’s musical cross-currents.
