Iranian-Dutch composer Aftab Darvishi’s haunting solo violin piece Likoo takes centre stage on world-renowned violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter’s upcoming album East Meets West, set for release on March 27, 2026, via Alpha Classics. A deeply personal work, Likoo is dedicated to women mourning lost loved ones, combining Eastern musical traditions with contemporary violin techniques to create a moving meditation on grief, resilience, and memory.
The title Likoo refers to a traditional musical style from Iran’s Balochistan province, often associated with songs of longing and mourning. Darvishi translates this expressive heritage for the modern violin: the piece begins with bold, resonant chords reminiscent of Bach, before unfolding into slow, sliding glissandos that mimic the mournful tones of instruments like the Gheychak. Mutter describes the composition as a “prayer” and has performed it as an encore, honouring women who have lost those close to them.
For Aftab Darvishi, Likoo represents both a personal and artistic milestone. The piece brings her Iranian-Dutch heritage into dialogue with Western contemporary music, allowing traditional themes of mourning and memory to resonate in new and unexpected ways. The piece was premiered at Carnegie Hall in April 2025, and the single is now available on streaming platforms, including Spotify.
East Meets West inaugurates Anne-Sophie Mutter’s new recording initiative, ASM Forte Forward, developed in partnership with Alpha Classics. The series is devoted exclusively to contemporary composers and features works written specifically for Mutter. For the first time, she assumes the role of producer, underscoring her commitment to championing today’s music and supporting emerging talent.
Darvishi’s Likoo opens the album, which also features works by internationally acclaimed composers Unsuk Chin, Jörg Widmann, and Thomas Adès. The programme moves from solo violin to duo and chamber repertoire, concluding with Adès’ Air – Homage to Sibelius for violin and orchestra with the London Symphony Orchestra. By blending diverse cultural influences and contemporary approaches, the album highlights the global reach and expressive power of today’s classical music scene.
Following the release, Mutter will perform Likoo during her 2026 European tour, with stops in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, including London’s Barbican Hall. These performances offer audiences the rare opportunity to experience Darvishi’s work live, in the hands of one of the world’s most celebrated violinists.
East Meets West will be available on CD, digital platforms, and vinyl on March 27, 2026, offering a landmark recording that celebrates the emotional and musical depth of Aftab Darvishi’s Likoo and its place in the global contemporary repertoire.
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