Javid Afsari Rad Santur, Composition
Javid Afsari Rad from Esfahan, Iran, has composed music which transfers the thoughts of Rumi to music through an ensemble consisting of the foremost Iranian musicians and a Norwegian string quintet.
Javid Afsari Rad was born in Isfahan, central Iran, in 1965. His mentor on the santur, a traditional Persian instrument, was Saeed Naeemi Manesh. Later he was introduced to Radif, the Persian classical music repertoire, by the masters Parviz Meshkatian and Faramarz Payvar. His studies led him to Norway, where he graduated from the University of Oslo in the fi eld of Musicology. 
As a musician and composer, Javid is highly inspired by the mysticism in Rumi’s poetry. Rhythm is a vital element which refl ects the ecstatic philosophy of the sensually divine thirteenth century poet Rumi, and Javid’s compositions are an endeavor to honor and communicate the great vitality and energy seeping out of Rumi’s mysterious poetry. 
Together with the ney, percussion, oud, string quintet, and vocals, Javid creates masterful performances with his fellow artists, ranging from soft heartfelt moments to the exhilarating joyful state of musical enchantment pivotal to the Sufi ’s dance. 
Salar Aghili, Vocal 
Salar Aghili was born in Teheran/Iran in 1977. He is regarded as one of the foremost Persian classical vocalists in his generation. He has studied under the guidance of Sediq Taarif and has adopted the old tradition of the vocal repertoire combined with the skillful and delicate style of master Mohammad Reza Shajarian. 
As a young and distinguished vocalist he has gained attention both in Iran and abroad and this has led him to collaborate with renowned musicians, composers and ensembles in and outside of Iran. He has performed in many well known music festivals and music scenes all over the world and has released recordings in Iran and Europe.
Rumi Ensemble 
Javid Afsari Rad santur 
Pejman Haddadi tombak and percussion 
Reza Samani daf and dayereh 
Davood Varzideh ney 
Shahram Gholami oud 
Berit Cardas violin 
Elisabeth Lie violin 
Gro Løvdahl viola 
Emery Cardas cello 
Marius Flatby double bass 
Poems by Rumi 
All music composed and arranged by Javid Afsari Rad 
Recorded and mixed at Rainbow studio Oslo, by Jan Erik Kongshaug 
Photo by Kamran Dolati at rainbow studio 
Artwork by Maryam Abtahi 
Graphic design by Eva Karlsson 
Info: www.rumiensemble.com 
This project is supported by: 
Arts council Norway, Akershus Fylkeskommune, Musikerenes Fellesorganisasjon, Norwegian Hub for Traditional Music and Dance
 
							
						















