Rastak Ensemble
Rastak Music Group is an Iranian contemporary folk music ensemble that was formed as an experimental music group in 1997. Rastak seeks to collect, record and interpret Persian folk music for a global audience. About Rastak. Rastak incorporates Persian language, Iranian culture and history as well as merging traditional instruments and forms with contemporary rhythms. Rastak has done extensive research into Persian folk music both academically and in practice. They have been focused for the past two decades on the sound of Iranian folklore and diverse cultures; resulting in five albums, five singles and numerous concert tours in  Iran and overseas. Rastak has appeared on several international music festivals and has held many concerts in Iran, England, Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Sweden, United States, Canada, Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Chile, Poland, Turkey, Georgia, Belgium, Oman, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh [Dhaka International Folk Fest 2017], Iraq , Erbil, United Arab Emirates among others. Guest Artists. Previous Members. Omid Mostafavi, Yasaman Najmeddin, Parisa Inanloo, Yavar Ahmadifar, Mohammad Mazhari, Piran Mohajeri, Sepehr Saadati, Sara Naderi, Kaveh Sarvarian, Yaser Navazandeh, Farzad Khorshidsavar, Negar Ezazi, Saba Jamali, Reza Abedia, Sahar Ebrahim, Nima Niktab, Sara Ahmadi, Hosna Parsa, Danoosh Asadpour, Bita Ghasemi Instruments . Strings. Tar, Qanun, Oud, Kamancheh, Santur, Kamancheh alto, Bam Tar, Tanbur, Dotar, Ghoppoz, Divan, Gheyhak, Rubab, Azeri Tar, Tanboorak, Gheychak Bass, Double Bass, Cello, Guitar, Bass Guitar Percussions. Tombak, Daf, Dholak, Damam, Naqareh, Desar Koten, Zarb, Zarb Timpo, Dayereh, Bandir, Dayereh Zangi, Dhol, Dom Dom, Kaser, Pipeh, Kasooreh, Tas, Halab, Darbuka, Cajón, Tambourine, Cymbal, Senjak Wind Instruments. Sorna, Nayanban, Balaban, Dozaleh, Nay Jofti, Qoshmeh, Gharaney, Labak, Neylabak, Laleva, Ney, Donaley, Karnay Albums and Singles. Rangvareha-ye-Kohan (Ancient Hues) – Audio, 2007. Also known as Ancient Hues is Rastak’s first album and has 12 audio tracks. Iran is a vast  country with a long history where the wide range of ethnic minorities comprising one nation, is illustrative of congeniality, culture interaction and strong bonds among Iranians. The pieces of this collection as part of  a rich spiritual legacy, belong to a number of these ethnicities; however, they have been given a rather fair air. Hame-ye Aghvam-e Man (All My Homeland People) – Audio and Video, 2010. Since long ago, Iran has always been a cradle for different folks who managed to save and nurture their bases of cultures alongside the rich culture of their ancient homeland. One symbol of  this cultural variety is the vast range of folkloric music which is the heritage of their past. "All My Homeland People" is Rastak's effort to retell these ballads. It is Rastak's hope to play a small role in recreating folk ballads and introducing the deep roots and rich past of Persian culture to the world. Sorna-ye Nowruz / Video album, 2013. Rastak’s 3rd album Sornay-e Nowruz. It comprises 6 audio and video tracks from Bushehr, Fars, Mazandaran, Kormanj, Baluchestan, Azerbaijan, Gilan and kurdistan. Mian-e Khorshidha-ye Hamisheh (Among Eternal Suns) – Audio & Video album, 2016. Is  Rastak's interpretation of the music of Iran's varied cultures- "Sun" that steadily shine over and across this land generating music as well as ideas. Rastak endeavors is to make use of these endless treasures,  and feels indebted to them. “Among Etrnal Suns” includes 10 audio and video tracks from Kerman, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, Kurdestan, Gars, Baluchestan and Azerbaijan. Bahar – Audio & Video album, 2018. New experiences about new arrangements and the use of guitar and cello in combination with Iranian musical instruments. Celebrating Spring, Rastak's latest album includes folk songs from different parts of Iran, with folk lyrics in  different languages and dialects. All these tracks have praise of Spring and the Persian New Year as their central theme, hence the name of the album: Bahar (Spring) Borderless at Home – Audio Singles 2019–2020. In this project Rastak is working on the music of Iran neighboring countries to be a messenger of peace while depicting the beauty of Middle Eastern music and culture. The idea of this album was born due to the positive feedbacks in overseas performances. Dance With Rastak – Audio and Video Album 2021. Dance With Rastak, reflects the diversity of Iranian culture and its folklore music. The  album is our 6th album which will be released in two audio and video editions and comprises folk songs from ethnicities such as Azerbaijan, Dezful, Kerman, Kurdistan, Khurasan and Shiraz. Sombre Sky. Sombre Sky (AKA Aseman-e-kaboud), (Persian: آسمان کبود) is a single recorded in Istanbul and published in 202. It is based on an old song performed by Iradj Mahdian.