A Memento of Istanbul

A Memento of Istanbul is an excellent solo oud album by top Iranian player Saeed Nayeb Mohammadi. It’s the opening ‘Semai’ that draws the listener in with an intricate winding melody that is occasionally under-pinned by low bass notes. It’s actually a Turkish form in 10/8 with a glowing lower section in the middle and then it speeds up for some virtuoso action towards the end. There’s a soft, warm tone to Mohammadi’s playing too.

A Memento of Istanbul was recorded after Mohammadi stayed in the city for two years, though the music is abstract and I don’t hear any attempt to portray the city in any noticeable way.

One of the most remarkable tracks on the album is ‘Chaharpareh’, an Iranian modal piece performed in the dastgāh (mode) Abū ‘Atā, but some of it includes a deep ringing bass sound that I don’t remember hearing on a solo oud project before. It has an impressive and thunderous effect. Across A Memento of Istanbul’s six tracks, Mohammadi introduces a variety of moods and textures, although the ten-minute ‘Shur-Abuata’ seems overly long.

If you are a fan of oud playing, what’s enjoyable here is the intimacy and directness. It’s quite rare to have solo oud without percussion. Saeed Nayeb Mohammadi has great artistry and skill and, on A Memento of Istanbul, it feels like he’s playing specially for you.