The Four Seasons of Hamadan

Persian and Jewish traditions intertwine in a new work for violin and dancer.

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About the Work

Hamadan Photo 1

In The Four Seasons of Hamadan, composer Kian Ravaei and choreographer Annie Kahane intertwine seasonal rituals from their respective Persian and Jewish cultures. Across four movements—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—the violinist and dancer move fluidly between folkloric idioms. “There’s something aspirational about the idea that two different cultures could weave together and make something more beautiful than could exist with each one on its own,” said Kahane.

As research for this work, both artists immersed themselves in the traditions of Persian and Jewish music and dance. Ravaei spent a year learning the setār—a traditional Persian instrument—while taking lessons in klezmer music composition. Rooted in this training, the violin part tests the instrument's limits, shifting from brisk klezmer-style passagework to lavish Persian improvisations. Kahane’s choreography draws on the communal spirit of folk dance, reimagining familiar steps through a contemporary lens.

Amid ongoing political hostilities between Iran and Israel, The Four Seasons of Hamadan considers how shared cultural practices—such as seasonal rituals—can become a meeting place for diverse communities. Through their cross-cultural collaboration, Ravaei and Kahane demonstrate that curiosity about other cultures can be a powerful source of artistic insight and human connection.

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Details

Instrumentation: Violin & Dancer (or Violin alone)
Years Created: 2023–2025
Duration: 23 minutes
Movements:
- I. Spring: Nowruz & Purim
- II. Summer: Tirgan & Shavuot
- III. Autumn: Mehregan & Sukkot
- IV. Winter: Yalda & Hannukah

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About the Artists

Kian Ravaei

Composer Kian Ravaei takes tone painting to a new level, synthesizing diverse inspirations ranging from the Iranian music of his ancestral heritage to the pulsating electronic music of late-night dance clubs. From Carnegie Hall to the Concertgebouw, sought-after musicians including Fleur Barron, Lara Downes, and Anthony McGill have brought Ravaei’s works to global stages. His music has been commissioned by Seattle Chamber Music Society, Chamber Music Northwest, and American Composers Orchestra, with commissioning awards from Chamber Music America, New Music USA, and the Barlow Endowment. He is currently a C.V. Starr Doctoral Fellow at The Juilliard School. kianravaei.com

Annie Kahane

Annie Kahane is a performer and art-maker working in poetry, dance and theater. Her performance projects have been supported by the San Francisco International Arts Festival, the Odyssey Theater (Los Angeles), the Zellerbach Family Foundation, ODC Theater (San Francisco), the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, the Hollywood Fringe Festival, PUSHfest Dance Festival, UC-AFT's Professional Development Fund and New Music USA, among others. Her poetry has been featured on multiple NPR stations. She is a faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology/Dance at California State University Northridge. aliveandwellproductions.org