Abjad Dream (Piano and Electronics)

Noise à Noise is delighted to announce the upcoming release of Abjad Dream, a new album by renowned Iranian composer Idin Samimi Mofakham. This work explores the unique notational system of medieval Iran, known as Abjad, which assigned letters to musical pitches and intervals. By translating these ancient systems into modern notation, Idin has crafted a distinctive sound world informed by his in-depth research.

Idin Samimi Mofakham is an acclaimed composer and performer whose career bridges Traditional and Experimental practices. His music draws deeply from the Regional and Classical traditions of Iran while exploring innovative tuning systems and Psychoacoustics. A PhD graduate from the Norwegian Academy of Music, he has developed a unique compositional language that combines Historical research with Contemporary techniques. His works have been performed by leading ensembles worldwide, including Klangforum Wien, Ostravská Banda, and Oslo Sinfonietta, among many others, and, in Iran, most notably by Nivak Ensemble and Nilper Orchestra. Through his collaborations, performances, and educational initiatives, Idin continues to enrich the global Contemporary music scene.

Abjad Dream is the result of Idin’s doctoral studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he examined Medieval Iranian music theory. This album offers a Contemporary perspective on these Historical concepts, showcasing diverse tuning systems and innovative approaches to pitch and form.

Abjad Dream will be available for digital pre-order starting December 11, 2024, with an official release on March 11, 2025. The album features a performance by Martyna Kosecka, with the piano tuned in Pythagorean tuning by Torkil Rødvand. It was recorded by Bendik Øvrelid at Levinsalen, the Norwegian Academy of Music, on March 25, 2022. Mixing and mastering were done by Henning Bortne.