Classical Persian Music is an ancient art form. Its roots can be traced to the flourishing cultural germination that took place under the Sassanid Dynasty (226-636 A.D.) after centuries of Greek domination. Persian classical music is organized into seven scales called Dastgah, with five smaller sub-scales to these scales called avaz. Each of these scales require specific emotional considerations exemplified by special melodic patterns called gushes- pronounced goo-shehz. Spontaneous emotive impression is at the heart of this art form but must adhere to the paths governed by the gushes. At first this may sound constricting for the musician yet there are approximately 250 different gushes distributed among the seven dastgahs creating a myriad of possibilities.

Presently, the integrity and character of this precious and antiquitous music must be preserved by those who have lived and breathed its essence for a great number of years; a time requirement that encompasses most of their lives. Kamil Alipour is such a musician. Kamil Alipour began studying the Tar at the Tehran School of Music under the guidance of Ustad (master) Ali Akbar Shahnazi. Later, Alipour attended Tehran University with contemporaries such as Hossain Alizadeh. There he finished his knowledge of Persian classical music theory and studied Setar, Daff, and traditional singing techniques.

Alipour plays all the instruments found on this album with the exception of the Zarb. These instruments include Tar, Setar, Daff, and his voice. Tar is a six stringed guitaristic instrument made of rare wood with thin lamb's skin stretched over the resonating chamber. In Iran this instrument is known as the Sultan Saz, king of Instruments, prided for its resonance and unique timbrel qualities. Setar actually means three stringed, however, it has evolved into an instrument containing two doubled pairs and a single resonator string for a total of five strings. Daff is a large round drum made from a hoop of hard wood with goat skin stretched over its circumference to produce its deep bassy resonance.

Kamil Alipour has composed and arranged all of the music found on this recording. He shows adept versatility on both Tar and Setar creating some very beautiful solo improvisations; some that took as much time to record as it takes you to listen. The larger ensemble pieces show his special talents with regard to vocal arrangement and self accompanying Daff playing. kamil Alipour will become a very important player in the years to come, carrying Persian classical music for future generations to enjoy.

Parinaz was born in Tehran Iran. At age eight, she was introduced to singing by his father, who had a great voice. Later she studied voice and Persian Radiffs with Ustad Mahmood Karimi, then Ustad Mohammad Reza Lotfi, Ahmad Rahmanipour and finally Ustad Kamil Alipour. As a little girl she was fascinated with the Setar sound of Ustad Ebadi, hence in addition to developing her voice she also learned playing Setar from Mehrbanoo Toofigh and later Ustad Ahmad Rahmanipour.