Timeless Melodies of Iran

℗ CambiaraArt Records

Composer: Saeed Lahouti

"Timeless Melodies of Iran" is a thoughtfully curated EP by composer Saeed Lahouti, offering a contemporary re-examination of classic Iranian melodies through the unique pairing of voice and piano. Each piece performed with emotional depth by Shaghayegh Bagheri and pianist Aline Tashchian—explores the rich heritage of songs like “Tak Derakht,” “Ashegham Man,” and “Mashin-e Mashti Mamdali.” Lahouti approaches these works not merely as artifacts of nostalgia but as living, evolving experiences. Drawing from phenomenological inquiry, he investigates the essence of each song and reimagines it in a way that honors both its origin and its potential.

This collection bridges the gap between tradition and modernity, evoking a shared cultural memory while offering fresh interpretations rooted in the present. With its introspective tone and minimalist instrumentation, the EP invites listeners into a space where memory, identity, and musical form converge. Lahouti’s compositions are more than arrangements—they are acts of discovery and reinterpretation, where each note reflects a dialogue between the past and a deeply personal present.

Vocalist: Shaghayegh Bagheri

Pianist: Aline Tashchian

Composer and performer Saeed Lahouti graduated from the Faculty of Music at the College of Art and Architecture. He studied Kamancheh with maestro Mohammad Moghaddasi, and piano and composition under Dr. Farid Omran. His notable works include Album for the Young, Suite of Eshkevar Vistas, Rhapsodic Songs, Elegy, Fantasy Sonata, Collection of Variations, Iranian Old Songs, and Pieces for Setar. Drawing from his dual foundation in Iranian and contemporary music, Lahouti composes at the intersection of tradition and modernity. His music reflects his life experiences and serves as a bridge between two musical worlds. In Aqrab-e Zulf Kaj, the composer turns inward, while Mashin-e Mashti Mamdali suggests a return from that inner depth. This continuous interplay, marked by openness and incompletion, lies at the heart of his artistic vision.

Saeed Lahouti

Shaghayegh Bagheri

Shaghayegh Bagheri is a singer, improviser, and poet known for her expressive vocal style, which blends classical and traditional Iranian singing with experimental and contemporary approaches. She has collaborated with various ensembles and composers to explore the relationship between Persian poetry and diverse musical forms. This album, created with Saeed Lahouti, marks a new chapter in her artistry, offering a deeper, more personal dimension to her voice.

Aline Tashchian

Aline Tashchian, pianist and instructor, teaches at the Tehran Girls’ Music Conservatory and Sheen Music School. A prize-winning performer, she began piano studies at age seven and has trained with Zarmik Babayan and Gagik Babayan. Her awards include top rankings at national and international competitions such as the National Youth Music Festival and Italy’s Orbetello International Piano Competition. She has performed widely, from Roudaki Hall to international festivals, and collaborated with ensembles including the National Choir of Armenia.