About

Musique Royale invites you to “Remembrances” an hourlong program taking listeners into the sonic world of Ziya Tabassian, whose intricate and energizing compositions are based on Persian rhythmic cycles from the 17th and 18th centuries. Four performers each contribute a distinct musical language and technical expertise, with the tour featuring Didem Başar, a virtuoso Turkish kanun player, kamanche player Sareh Borna, Mohammad Sahraei, a musician and ethnomusicologist originally from Iran, and Ziya Tabassian: a world percussionist, brilliant composer and artistic director based in Montreal.

Part of Musique Royale’s 40th Summer Festival, the “Remembrances” tour invites audiences to discover Nova Scotia’s historic venues with concerts in Halifax, Margaretsville, Kingsport, Riverport, Shelburne and Baddeck. This tour is generously supported by Mécénat Musica, a rare and unique cultural program by donors for donors (mecenatmusica.com). The tour is in partnership with Garage Concerts, taking place in the heart of Montreal’s Mile End each summer, where an eclectic and fascinating roster of performers offer musical discovery within a welcoming, intimate environment (facebook.com/garageconcertmtl).

About the Artists

Didem Başar, kanun

Born into a musical family in Istanbul, Didem Başar is a kanun (Turkish zither) player, instructor and composer. She completed her music education in the kanun program and composition at Istanbul Turkish Music State Conservatory, where she later taught Turkish music and kanun techniques until moving to Canada in 2007.

She has collaborated with many ensembles and Symphony Orchestras, performing across Canada, the U.S., Europe, North Africa, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. She has contributed to numerous albums and soundtracks, including works with Cirque du Soleil and Constantinople Ensemble, and has composed for various projects.

In 2020, she released her album Levantine Rapsody which blends Turkish and Western classical music. The album received critical acclaim and was nominated for Album of the Year by ADISQ and the Conseil Quebecois de la Music. It won the Album of the Year award at the 24th Prix Opus Competition in 2021.

Her latest album, Continuum recorded with I Musici de Montréal, under the baton of Jean-François Rivest, was released in June 2024. Continuum represents a continuation of the musical journey that began with Levantine Rapsody. It has been nominated for two Opus awards.

Sareh Borna, kamancheh

Raised in an environment deeply connected to music, Sareh Borna began her journey as a kamancheh player at a young age. She graduated from the Girls’ Conservatory of Music in Tehran and pursued academic studies in Iranian Music Performance and Ethnomusicology at the Tehran University of Art.

Sareh has been actively involved in music education, teaching the kamancheh to students of all ages at various institutions in Iran. Alongside her teaching, she built a strong foundation as a performer, collaborating with ensembles such as Tiar, Arna, Arnavaz, and the Moj-e No Orchestra, participating in numerous concerts and artistic projects.

In recent years, she has extended her musical journey to international stages, performing in Canada with the Raha Ensemble and the renowned group Constantinople. These collaborations have allowed her to explore the intersections of Persian classical music with global performance spaces.

Her approach to performance is deeply rooted in tradition, while remaining open to new dialogues — a voice shaped by years of training, stage experience, and a deep commitment to the expressive possibilities of the kamancheh.

Mohammad Sahraei, tar

Mohammad Sahraei is a musician and ethnomusicologist originally from Iran, where he graduated with a Bachelors in Music and Masters in Ethnomusicology, as well as an accounting degree and an MBA. In his quest to understand the music of other cultures, he has done fieldwork with masters from many countries throughout the middle east and has published several essays on the subject. Mohammad has participated in many musical and cultural events in Halifax such as OBEY Festival, Halifax Jazz Festival, and Halifax Multicultural Festival. He has additionally produced a series of International Music Concerts in Halifax since 2017. Mohammad has live film score and performance on his resume, and also produced and published an original recording entitled the Nahavand Album. Mohammad is the founder and director of the World Music Museum Society in Halifax.

Ziya Tabassian, percussion

Known for his virtuosity and innovative approach to percussion, Ziya Tabassian began studying the tombak in Iran at the age of ten. After moving to Quebec, he studied Western classical percussion at the University of Montreal. His career has led him to collaborate with artists such as the Kronos Quartet and Kayhan Kalhor, performing in over 40 countries.

His discography includes albums like Tombak (2007), Le Cercle des Cycles (2017), and Zarb-e Osul (2020), showcasing his mastery of Persian rhythmic cycles. His latest album, Remembrances, features his original compositions.

Ziya Tabassian is also the artistic director of the Festival Accès Asie and the Garage Concerts series, where he continues to promote the fusion of traditional and contemporary music.

For more please visit:
https://minimusicmuseum.com/about-us/