Navazi is a collection of composed improvisations inspired by the kamancheh, a traditional Iranian bowed string instrument resembling a Western fiddle. The title is a Persian word meaning both “to play an instrument” and “to caress.” Each movement draws from different sections of Dastgah-e Nava, one of the musical modes in Iranian classical music: Daramad (“Arise”), Nahoft (“Hide”), Khojaste (“Rejoice”), and Forud (“Return”).
Note: The four movements are intended to be interspersed between other pieces on a concert program, rather than performed consecutively.