Globalization fosters the emergence of a global culture through reciprocal cultural exchanges on a global scale. Culture is neither isolated from nor entirely congruent with society. The piano has not only become a dominant instrument in the Eurocentric world but has also gained significant popularity in regions with distinctly different musical and tuning systems. However, this dominance often coincides with the displacement of indigenous musical traditions. This phenomenon can be attributed to the historical development and structural design of the piano, which was created within the parameters of Western music without consideration for universal adaptability.
This project pursues artistic research in collaboration with American composer Rachel C. Walker. It addresses the following key questions: Can the piano evolve into a truly global instrument that resonates within the performance practices of non-European cultures? How might microtonality, integral to the identity of Persian music, be adapted for the piano? The exploration of piano techniques in Iran involves several phases, including the gathering of historical data, an investigation into the genealogical evolution of performance techniques, and a critical examination of existing methodologies. Microtones are a fundamental characteristic of Persian music, providing it with a distinctive timbre. Through extended techniques and the innovative use of objects like stones, this artistic research seeks to address these questions.
Maryam Mehraban
Zurich University of the Arts, University of Music and Performing Arts Graz
Maryam Mehraban is an Iranian-German pianist with a focus on contemporary music. She studied piano at the School of Music in Tehran. As a minor, she learned the Persian instrument Setar and was trained in both classical European and classical Persian music. Mehraban studied Piano Performance at the Art University of Tehran and later Instrumental Pedagogy at the University of Music, Drama, and Media in Hanover. For the past three years, she has been a doctoral candidate in the field of Artistic Research at the University of Graz and the Zurich University of the Arts.