Various Composers - Nahoft (Ava Nazar; Nami Nazar; Benjamin Larsen)

Information

1. Aso Kohzadi - Avaz
2. Yassaman Behbahani - Inspiration
3. Nasim Khorassani - Growth
4. Nina Barzegar - 2 Pieces for Piano: No. 1, Mourning Heritage
5. Nina Barzegar - 2 Pieces for Piano: No. 2, Fragile Horror
6. Niloufar Nourbakhsh - Cello Sonata No. 1
7. Ava Nazar - Navā Reverie

Ava Nazar, piano

Nami Nazar, violin

Benjamin Larsen, cello

Date: 2025

Label: Navona

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Drawing its name from a melodic motif found in Iranian music, NAHOFT is the culmination of pianist Ava Nazar’s collaboration with the Iranian Female Composers Association, showcasing six woman composers who merge identity, tradition, and innovation. Works including Avaz, Growth, and Navā Reverie draw from Iran’s rich musical heritage, while others incorporate Western classical and contemporary influences. From deeply personal tributes to explorations of inherited sorrow and resilience, each piece conveys unique compositional footprints and deeply impactful lived experiences. NAHOFT encapsulates the fusion of past and present, structure, and improvisation in a collection that challenges stereotypes and expands the narrative of Iranian women in music.

Ava Nazar is an Iranian-American pianist based in New York, known for her dynamic performances at venues like the United Nations, Merkin Hall, and National Sawdust. A Juilliard graduate with a Master’s in Collaborative Piano, she also holds a Bachelor’s from the Manhattan School of Music. She has performed at festivals including Aspen and Music Academy of the West, and toured the U.S. with Iranian singer Homayoun Shajarian. Committed to community engagement, Nazar volunteers through Sing for Hope, taught underserved students via ArtistYear, co-founded the Prelude Music Program, and serves as assistant conductor of the Bronx County Chorus. She actively supports contemporary Iranian composers and collaborates with IFCA.

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