MUSIC

Flying fingers and mesmerizing rhythms are hallmarks of the percussion instrument known as the tonbak, the goblet-shaped drum of ancient Persia. The sound often builds from restraint to frenzy in a rhythmic evolution that defines both secular and spiritual music throughout much of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Asia Society Texas Center plays host to a modern master on Saturday, June 27th, as Asia Society Texas Center, the Iranian Cultural Foundation and the Rothko Chapel join forces to present Miracle of Rhythms: Classical Music of Persia, featuring Siamak Pouian. Pouian, who teaches at University of California in Santa Barbara as well as in his own conservatory, is considered one of the world’s great masters of the tonbak. He learned his art under Hossein Tehrani, perhaps the most famous tonbak player in modern history.

The tonbak can be “tuned” by heating, cooling, or dampening the goat-skin membrane to varied pitches. At the Rothko, Pouian will be accompanied in part by violinist Farzam Fattahi, and will introduce other instruments common to the traditional music of Persia.

This program is presented by Asia Society Texas Center, the Iranian Cultural Foundation, and the Rothko Chapel. Asia Society
Texas Center is funded in parts by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. Additional support  comes from Continental Airlines.