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 percussionist 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.
PRESS
“Here one gets to the essence of the oud, which from its apparent austerity and restraint, makes its magical power felt to the fullest.”
New Folk Sounds (NL)
Album credits:
Album title: Lahza (The Glimpse) – Ud Improvisations
Artists: Tristan Driessens, Bijan Chemirani (guest)
Label: Mahoor Institute of Culture and Arts (Teheran)
Recorded Autumn 2021, Zennestudio, Brussels
Recorded and mixed by Dries Van Ende
Mastered by Vincent De Bast
