Northeast Music Guide

Flock is a production in which human feelings like , sadness, joy, fear, foreboding, are expressed not only by the actors but brought further to life by the music of Gateshead Composer Mariam Rezaei. A story of searching for oneself, and of family and hope.Three siblings set out to find what their late mother needed to discover. A magical tale of migration in a politically troubled 1920's Iran. Jowheretogo's Jo Oliver was curious where all this creativity came from had a few questions for Mariam JO: You draw upon a wide range of influences for the score for "Flock". Have you always been surrounded by an eclectic mix of music? Did your parents encourage listening to a wide range of music....or did you rebel? MR: I am interested in a great variety of music and arts.  I believe that there is always something to learn from all art, even if its 'don't do this!"   My parents have always encouraged me to explore the world and listen, taste and be p...

Magic amongst the turmoil   "Flock" tells a fairy story of 3 siblings that came into being through magical circumstances and then, as they grew up forgot about their origins and became occupied with the serious matters involved in being an adult. Their mother never lost her belief, after all she was still being watched over by the fairy she had rescued from a cage in the rainforest and had blessed her with the three children..from a pomegranate. After her death they honour her wish that they journey to the Caspian Sea, guided by the acrobatic fairy, to find what their purpose in life will be. The legendary bird, the Simorgh would appear to them an bring them enlightenment. Like in the story, "The Conference of the Birds" enlightenment does not come from a magical external source but from within oneself. The 3 siblings realise what they were looking for was right before their eyes. And all this against a backdrop of political unrest in 1920's Iran. ...

Zendeh Launches "Flock" at Northern Stage 6th-8th March "Flock" picture from Northern Stage Website. Gateshead Composer Spreads Her Wings ZENDEH ’s latest production, FLOCK   (click link for pictures, info and an audio clip) is a tale of migration and taking flight. A story of 3 siblings in Iran in 1921- a time of impending revolution. Inspired by The Conference of the Birds and the Arab uprisings of 2011. The birdsong-inspired score has been composed by composer, DJ and performer Mariam Rezaei who works with multiple turntables, piano and electronics. The 28 year old musician – born in Gateshead but with Iranian family roots - has been on something of a journey herself. In 2012, she was invited to perform at the BBC Proms 47 by conductor Ilan Volkov for the John Cage Centenary celebration concert at the Royal Albert Hall, and she also performed on turntables with Kathryn Tickell and Folkestra in JigHop, part of the BT River of Music Festival for the Ope...