Fanoos Ensemble to share traditional music from Afghanistan on March 24

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The community is invited to an evening of fellowship and classical Afghan music on Tuesday, March 24, in Hintz Family Alumni Center’s Robb Hall.

"The Joyfull: Fanoos Ensemble Edition" will start off the event from 6 to 7 p.m., and follow with a performance by Fanoos Ensemble from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

This ensemble features traditional instruments in the Afghan classical style at the crossroads of Persian poetry, Hindustani rhythms, Central Asian and Western harmonies, and improvisation.

After the mini-concert performance, the artists will engage in a Q&A with interested audience members.

The event is free, but registration is required. Complete the form here to register. Visit The Joyfull for more information about the meal and Fanoos Ensemble online for details about the performance.

"The Joyfull: Fanoos Ensemble Edition"

Starting at 6 p.m., audiences are invited to take part in "The Joyfull," a pre-concert dining and discussion experience inspired by the music of the evening. At 6:45 p.m., Storai Jalali will present a talk on Nowruz, the Persian New Year, accompanied by a catered meal from Kabul Plate.

Guests may attend the Joyfull, the Fanoos Ensemble performance, or enjoy both as a full evening of music, culture and connection. For additional details, visit the Joyfull website.

An evening of midcentury-era Afghan songs

Starting at 7:30 p.m., the Fanoos Ensemble performance will feature traditional ghazals based on the poetry of Rumi and others, folk songs, and popular songs from the legendary midcentury-era Afghan singer Ahmad Zahir, paired with their own original tunes. Additionally, their music will be paired with visuals and English subtitles.

In a recent Center for the Performing Arts interview, pianist Elham Fanoos said the quartet not only is excited to perform to audiences throughout the United States, but the musicians look forward to being a positive representation of their birth country of Afghanistan.

“We really need to show a positive face of Afghanistan,” he said. “We really can't wait, and we’re very excited to do something positive, finally, for people to see something and hear something that can [have] a positive impact, mentally.”

Acknowledgments

Support for the Fanoos Ensemble Joyfull event is provided by Dick Brown and Sandy Zaremba and Eisenhower Auditorium Endowment.

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The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, a unit of the College of Arts and Architecture, aspires to create connected, sustainable, and equitable communities, where everyone experiences joy, belonging and creativity.

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