World premiere of Aftab Darvishi’s Likoo for violin solo by Anne-Sophie Mutter during a USA tour. 

Likoo is one of the most important mughams from the Baluchistan province of Iran, a region located in the southeast of the country, bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. Traditionally, Likoo is performed with instruments such as the Gheychak (a bowed lute) or Donali (a pair of fipple flutes), often accompanied by a singer. These songs typically are about grief and longing for a loved one.

While the direct presence of Likoo might not be evident in this piece, its essence and aesthetics serve as the inspiration for the composition.

This piece, reflects a deep longing, specifically for those lost since the onset of the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran in September 2022. During this time, many mothers have lost their children, lovers have been torn apart, and many have fled their homeland. While the loss may take on different meanings for each person, I explore its various dimensions in this piece.

This piece is dedicated to one of the greatest musical figures of our time, Anne-Sophie Mutter, and to all the women who continue to mourn the loss of a loved one.

Program (with participance of Lambert Orkis, piano):

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Sonata No. 18 in G Major, KV 301

Franz Schubert – Fantasie in C Major, D.934

Aftab Darvishi – Likoo for violin solo

Clara Schumann – Three Romances, Opus 22

Ottorino Respighi – Sonata in B Minor (1917)