Iranian classical music with Mahya Panahi & Sohrab Kolahdooz
An intimate evening of Iranian classical music, with acclaimed percussionist Sohrab Kolahdooz & tanbur virtuoso Mahya Panahi.
Join us for an intimate evening celebrating the rich musical traditions of Iran, featuring acclaimed percussionist Sohrab Kolahdooz and tanbur virtuoso Mahya Panahi.
Rooted in centuries of musical and spiritual practice, Persian classical music is renowned for its subtle ornamentation, expressive improvisation, and profound emotional depth. This special performance brings together two artists dedicated to preserving and reimagining these traditions for contemporary audiences.
Sohrab Kolahdooz is an Iranian-Australian percussionist whose work spans Persian classical music, contemporary performance, and intercultural collaboration. With more than two decades of international performance experience across Iran, India, and Australia, he is recognised for his mastery of traditional Persian percussion instruments including the tonbak, daf, and zarb-e zurkhaneh. His performances reveal the extraordinary complexity and expressive power of Persian rhythmic traditions, while remaining open to dialogue with contemporary artistic practices.
He is joined by Mahya Panahi, an accomplished tanbur player and ethnomusicologist whose work is deeply rooted in the musical heritage of western Iran. With fifteen years of performance experience, Mahya has dedicated her practice to exploring the tanbur’s distinctive voice—an instrument revered for both its musical beauty and spiritual significance. Her performances draw on traditional repertoire while bringing a fresh and personal perspective to one of the oldest living musical traditions of the region.
Together, Kolahdooz and Panahi will present a program of traditional melodies, improvisations, and rhythmic explorations that illuminate the enduring beauty of Persian music. Through the interplay of melody and rhythm, the concert offers a rare opportunity to experience the depth, subtlety, and contemplative power of these ancient traditions in an intimate setting.