‘Same Self, Same Silence’ is a musical collaboration between the European trio of Rembrandt Frerichs and the renowned Persian grandmaster Hossein Alizâdeh, one of the most prominent and groundbreaking Persian lute players. Together they bridge geographical, traditional, musical and historical elements from three worlds: tonal and rhythmic ingredients from Persian music, the freedom of Improvised music, featuring instruments from the Baroque era.
THE INSTRUMENTS
Alizâdeh is the leading master of Persian lutes: the tar, the setar, and – as can be heard on this recording – the shurangiz, an instrument built to his own specifications that serves as a midpoint between the two. His European counterparts were also looking for instruments that would fit this interweaving of traditions. Rembrandt Frerichs plays a fortepiano, similar to Mozart’s own instrument from 1790, as well as an antique harmonium; double bass player Tony Overwater plays a violone, a bass viol with six strings and frets; and Vinsent Planjer’s drums are a whisperkit, a unique personal curation of drums and percussion from across time and geography.
NEW SONIC POSSIBILITIES
Just Listen Records captured the unique understanding between these various musical worlds, backgrounds and eras. On ‘Same Self, Same Silence’, the Iranian musical tradition – built around improvisation – meets Early music and Improvisation. Re-tuning their instruments to resemble the sounds and match the quarter-tone landscape of the Orient allowed each of these four musicians to build new sonic possibilities together.
SAME SELF, SAME SILENCE
Even though the Dutch trio and Alizadeh could not communicate verbally without a translator present, they found a common vernacular in song; as Alizadeh explains: “it doesn’t matter what language we speak because when speaking ends, our common language begins, which is music”. ‘Same Self, Same Silence’. The album’s title is taken from a famous Iranian poem. It seems to speak to that common understanding that music brings, bridging the divide between cultures, times and language – bringing people together in harmony.
