With the album Lahza (A Glimpse), Tristan Driessens presents a project entirely made up of free oud improvisations, three of which are accompanied by Iranian tombak and bendir player Bijan Chemirani. Showcasing a distinctive style of solo oud playing, Tristan Driessens deliberately follows a direction that does not pretend being representative of any specific tradition. When listening to Lahza, one may notice a synthesis of stylistic elements reminiscent of both Iranian barbat and Ottoman ‘ûd. The improvisations of this album are intended to be evocative reflections on a cyclical journey along mystical Sufi stages (maqam), as described by the great Persian poets Omar Khayyam and Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī.
Album credits:
Album title: Lahza (The Glimpse) – Ud Improvisations
Artists: Tristan Driessens, Bijan Chemirani (guest)
Label: Mahoor Institute, Teheran
Recorded Autumn 2021
Zennestudio, Brussels
Engineer: Dries Van Ende
Mixed by Dries Van Ende
Mastered by Vincent De Bast
