Commission to Ashkan Behzadi

Ashkan Behzadi is composing a commissioned work for the Musik 21 Festival. In 2026, the festival will focus on the theme WHAT KIND OF TIMES ARE THESE? In times of great challenges, in the face of increasing violence and existential threats, the festival places Bertolt Brecht’s quoted phrase at the center and invites reflection on the possibilities of artistic engagement: “Silence or scream? Act, react—but how? Or look away?”

This guiding theme unfolds throughout the festival program through a variety of artistic concepts and world premieres—ranging from purely musical formats to interdisciplinary projects. Ashkan Behzadi presents a full-length, approximately 80-minute new work for violin and soprano. Inspired by modern Persian poetry, he seeks out the inner sounds of language and, in close collaboration with the two musicians, explores compositionally how the essence of language can be reflected in music.

The commission to Ashkan Behzadi is made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further information:
musik21niedersachsen.de

Date

September 11, 2026
Liveclub Nörgelbuff, Göttingen