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"Musical
notes, that are surely produced by magic fingers, are what make
Farzad's album so memorable. You are certain of this the moment
you play the CD and are treated to 'Searching,' oneo f Farzad's
many beautiful compositions. The haunting album begins with an eerie
wind, only to be followed by some of the most beautiful violin music
ever written... 'Thinking of You' is gentle ith the sounds of tinkling
wind chimes, building into a full heartbeat of well-orchestrated
music... 'La Dadiva' brings to mind warm nights, images of a fiery
romance and a sensual Mamba... 'Come Be with Me' makes one dream
of Sheherezad, Arabian nights and romantic interludes. While enjoying
the music, your imagination is invited to travel to other lands.
I also liked 'Fiesta'... Its upbeat quality makes me feel like dancing.
'Why' is full of strong emotions and violin notes from the heart.
I loved all of the compositions, but found myself playing this one
over and over."
Terri Campbell, LINEAR REFLECTIONS REVIEWS
"Mirror
of Emotions by Farzad features the violinist using a variety of
music styles to express human emotions to his audience. He also
has strong back up by a variety of instruments. some highlights
are Searching, Flight of the Lovers, La Dadiva,
Conversation and a Hunting Come with Me. There
is also Fiesta which is as lively as the name implies the
woeful, sorrowful Why? and closes the disc with another
good one in Farewell. It's a highly entertaining disc and
he accomplishes what he sets out to do with the emotional tunes"
LEADER TIMES
"I
cut the scenes to fit the music. I love the violin,
that's what attracted me, his lovely soft sound,"Glasenapp
said. "It's calm, then builds up to a faster
pace. I didn't hear the Middle East in the music.
It's world
music."
Terry Glasenapp, Filmmaker,
winner at the
Aspen Shortsfest film Festival and the host
of a
world music show on Carbondale
PR station KDNK
"What
pulled the images together was the music He (the
filmmaker) chose before the selection process began.
The music is a selection called "Thinking
of you," from a CD "Mirror of emotions," by
musician Farzad, an Iranian by birth now living
in New Mexico."
A&E OPTIONS /GSPI
“Farzad – whose
new CD, Mirror of Emotions, mixes classical, Latin,
jazz and Iranian folk music – is immersed in
cultural diversity . . .Farzad hopes his musical
diversity, demonstrating the ‘oneness of humanity,’ will
help illuminate a path to peace. ‘It’s
a mingling of cultures and traditions,’ he
said . . .’We have to let those differences
enrich our lives’.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
“
Similar in style to Michael Urbaniak, Stephane Grappelli,
Max Jaffa, Debbie Spring, Django Reinhardt . . .Farzad’s
playing caresses the listener with a sense of peace
. . .A wonderfully expressive and soothing set . .
.which matures like a good wine with every play . .
.As a lifelong jazz and classical music fan, it was
really a privilege to hear this album. If you have
any stress problems, buy Mirror of Emotions – problem
solved.”
THE JAZZ SITE
“ Listeners have certainly taken notice as his new CD has rocketed to the
No. 1 position in the NAV radio Top 100 . . .One reason Farzad stresses the common
ties of all humanity in his music is because of his personal odyssey and world
wide travels . . .Many of the tunes . . .attempt to create a better world and
a deeper understanding between all people”
NEW AGE
VOICE MAGAZINE
“ Creates a music that reaches across ethnic boundaries with a universal
appreciation for the emotionally-powerful melodies arising from his skill as
a performer and
his talent as a recording artist.”
BOOKWATCH
“
Classic-trained violinist, composing music since age two, Farzad writes/plays
music of a variety of ethnicities . . .The music is lush and spirited, telling
of life’s normal happiness and sadness, and always leaves us feeling
wiser, stronger and ultimately hopeful.”
THE PHOENIX
“
The opening track, ‘Searching,’ is a plaintive piece evocative,
for me of Eastern Europe. There is a range of styles from Latin America to
Persian
folk rhythms . . . Some tracks are quite lively, others more somber . . .Imagine
a gateway opening into a forest of birch trees, then being led to a clearing
. . .This is mood music for almost anytime . . .Simply enjoy it.”
NEW HOPE
INTERNATIONAL REVIEW
“Farzad masterfully evokes all the emotions
that a violin is capable of expressing in this stunning
release. Correctly titled Mirror of Emotions, this
album takes the listener into musical soundscapes
on a lover’s journey with his beloved, and
soulfully reflects the variety of emotions that are
encountered at different points along the way . .
.Superb craftsmanship. . .Emotional impact. . .Hauntingly
beautiful and powerful, Mirror of Emotions is very
highly recommended to all lovers of both contemporary
and classical violin music.”
OMEGA DIRECTORY
“
This wonderful world-vibe violinist reflects the
influences he’s absorbed in his world travels
and sojourns. A tasty adult alternative date that
mature tastes are sure to love. Pulled from a deep,
passionate well, this is music that really touches
the heart.”
MIDWEST RECORD RECAP
“
Farzad taps that vein of common emotions with some of the purest and most vital
violin ever drawn from a bow and strings . . .It has the kind of ‘spice
of life’ that you’d like to accompany an exotic meal at a fancy
restaurant. It’s an adventure . . .I can definitely see me doing some
fireplace and wine wooing with this CD.”
NEO-BARBARIC
“
Classically-trained American violinist Farzad makes music that falls into the
Arena of classical crossover or contemporary classical with elements of Mideastern
folkloric, Latin, other world musics, new age and smooth jazz.”
ACCENT
“
Incorporating Latin rhythms . . .adapting a Persian folk melody. . .’I
would listen to jazz. I would listen to Latin, Persian, country songs, you
name it.’ he said. ‘I would listen to everything . . .For my next
project, I would like to incorporate Native American music.’ His music
is a good example of unity and diversity.”
SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN
“
If you love the violin (and I do), this album, Mirror of Emotions by Farzad,
will excite you . . .He surrounds himself with other top talents such as guitarist/album-producer
Louie Shelton . . .Farzad. . .strives to communicate the commonality of human
emotions through the music.”
ONE (Illuminations Communication)
“ Has played with various orchestras in Houston, Ft. Worth, Dallas, Albuquerque
and Santa Fe. Farzad makes instrumental music that crosses boundaries between
contemporary classical, Latin, Persian folk, new age and smooth jazz.”
ADVANCING INDEPENDENT MUSIC
“ Overlooked musical gem . . .A remarkably
coherent musical adventure . . .A lovely, moving work.”
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT
GAZETTE
“ The end result is a harmonious repertoire that moves easily from
one genre to another, proving that indeed, that commonality does exist throughout
different cultures. His violin sing of love, hope, loss and life, and while
lifting the melodies to great heights, also acts as the calm center of all
the pieces. This album is clearly a labor of love and Farzad has achieved his
goal to speak the language of many with one violin.”
INDIE-MISIC.COM
“ Farzad, who wrote about three-fourths of the material on his album, is
classically-trained and has performed headlining concerts around the world.
So it is little surprise
that his album bridges between contemporary classical and world music (especially
Latin because he lived in South America for a year) with touches of jazz.
. .He surrounds himself with other top talents. The album was produced by Louie
Shelton . . .A longtime producer and session-musician, Shelton has played
with
Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Neil Diamond, Tom Scott and many other
top acts.”
CRYSTAL TOWER MAGAZINE
“
Classical violin mixed with Persian, Latin, folkloric, pop and jazz traditions
has placed the music of violinist Farzad into the No. 1 spot on New Age/World
Music charts . . .His is a progressive, worldly approach to serious music,
an eclectic blend of violins, piano, percussion, bass guitar, keyboards and
drums, which beautifully articulates the universal language of mankind.”
ALBUQUERQUE
JOURNAL
“
Farzad’s sense of phrase was exquisitely in line with the Romantic aesthetic;
it grew to a breathtaking forte at the top of his range and descended into
eloquent murmurs toward the end of his phrases. Through a virtuoso, Farzad
stuck to simple lines of melody, as opposed to degenerating into the trap of
playing fast, nonmusical passages that permeate the repertoire of so many virtuosos.”
THE
LOBO MAGAZINE
“
I have now been introduced to another master who knows how to conjure magic
with his bow. I am talking about Farzad . . . I think any lover of the violin
is doing themselves a great disservice if they do not at least take a moment
to listen to some of this music. Farzad’s music is beautiful and complex,
and it reaches beyond borders in a way the spoken word cannot.”
RAMBLES,
A CULTURAL ART MAGAZINE
“
Farzad’s original tunes are catchy and grow on the listener quite easily.
Mirror of Emotions could make a dandy Valentine’s accouterment. His classical
background shows in the superb ease with which he summons melodies from his
instrument, and his inclusion of Middle Eastern and Latin elements shows a
real dexterity in bringing melodic influences together.”
ORACLE 2000
“Farzad’s violin work on this grand
CD is both inspiring and heart-lifting! If more of
us could look in this mirror and come away feeling
even half as whole as his music makes you feel, the
world would be much closer to living together in
harmony. It is clear that his classical training/roots
have much to do with his ability, but it is even
more evident that he understands the true power that
music can have as a healing force for the spirit.
The compositions are all original and full of energy
that is unbounded! . . This is some of the most heartfelt
music I have ever listened to, and I have listened
to a lot . . .when a player sees reflections like
this in his musical mirror, the listener is clearly
the winner. Even on the pieces with classical leanings,
there is an almost spiritual energy that will make
every man/woman hear the full range of their emotions & let
them flower. This album should be required listening
in schools around the world . . .if it were, we would
have a planet that reflected joy and love, instead
of hate and dissent.”
IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION
“
Now Farzad, whose new CD, Mirror of Emotions, mixes classical, Latin, jazz
and Iranian folk music, is immersed in cultural diversity. And his album is
No. 1 in New Age Voice magazine’s Top 100 chart.”
THE SALT LAKE
TRIBUNE
“
Farzad is a classically-trained artist whose Persian violin and jazzy folkloric
compositions have carved a new category of art into the world of music. His
eclectic tapestry of melodies showcase his Persian roots, with deep, mystical
rhythms and traditional flare, while also weaving together western classical
and South American styles in original compositions.”
SPENCER THEATER
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