Mehrnoosh Zolfaghari & Melisa Yıldırım | Heiskanen Bayatz Baharat – Etno-Espa

This year’s Etno-Espa audiences are treated to a duo concert by santoor specialist Mehrnoosh Zolfagari and kamancha master Melisa Yıldırım, featuring their combined artistic experience and the richness of Persian and Anatolian music traditions. Heiskanen Bayatz Baharat is an ensemble fronted by violinist and composer Lotta-Maria Heiskanen, performing music where Middle Eastern rhythms and tonal language meet Nordic jazz and folk music tradition.

Programme

at 4 p.m.
Mehrnoosh Zolfaghari & Melisa Yıldırım
Both artists are recognised as virtuosos of their respective instruments. In their shared concert, they shine through both traditional melodies and original compositions, through improvisations and explorations of the diverse sounds and playing techniques of the two instruments. Zolfagari, who studied music in Tehran, and Yıldırım, who grew up in Istanbul, have performed together around the world and are current regulars in the Helsinki music scene.

Mehrnoosh Zolfagari – santoor, daf, daire
Melisa Yıldırım – Anatolian kamancha

at 5:15 p.m.
Heiskanen Bayatz Baharat
The ensemble’s debut album Samai Maata was released in 2022 on the Eclipse Music record label. Heiskanen is a sensitive interpreter whose playing style is touchingly beautiful and fiercely passionate. Her compositions traverse the borders of mysticism and realism. The ensemble’s concert at Etno-Espa leads their audiences through Arabian taqsims and 10/8 samai rhythms to Latin and jazz influences, from virtuosic longa to tender ballads.

Lotta-Maria Heiskanen – violin, compositions
Jukka Haavisto – bass
Aapo Heinonen – piano
Ricardo Padilla – percussion
Daniel Al-Attrash – qanoon