Our Sorrow - Maliheh Moradi & Ehsan Matoori
Our Sorrow, the collaborative album from Iranian artists Maliheh Moradi and Ehsan Matoori, will be released on April 12th, 2024.
Our Sorrow is an intriguing album. While the musical combination of Moradi's vivid vocals and Matoori's cultured compositions delivers an engaging listening experience, the themes and inspiration shared come from a situation that many – particularly from the Western world – would consider unimaginable in the modern day.
Like all Iranian women, Maliheh's life was strictly governed by societal rules. The restrictions are wide-ranging, with limitations imposed on clothing, behaviour, and professional progress, to name just a few. The excitement of attending an arena for a sporting event, pursuing a powerful position in the workplace, even the simple act of riding a bicycle – these activities are all prohibited for women in Iranian society. The traditional practice of veiling, willingly followed by women in Iran, is seen by some as a significant symbol reflecting deeper societal challenges within Iranian civilisation. In such an environment, it is perhaps little surprise that female contributions to the arts are controversial and come with considerable risk. Since the 1979 Iranian revolution, women have been prohibited from singing solo in public.
While some restrictions have gradually eased over the years, allowing women to perform publicly in an ensemble, rigid rules – such as a male singer being present and no female being heard above another – stifle the creative spirit and freedom of expression. Although some may point to progress with the relaxation of some regulations, many may consider it too little. Artistic expression is difficult to contain, and in Maliheh Moradi, we can see a modest embodiment of this powerful force and gain insight into the soul of an artist determined to make her voice heard.
Born into a musical family, she learned to sing and play the tombak at an early age. She later studied the setar at the Tehran Conservatory of Music, gaining a greater understanding of Iranian music and the art of performance. After her first on-stage experience at 17, her passion deepened, and her ambitions grew, yet the constraints imposed upon women would eventually prove too much for her to bear. She reluctantly took the bold and brave choice to leave her homeland, taking with her cherished memories and a steely determination to realise her dreams.
Upon immigrating to the US, and free from the risk of the harassment, fines, violence and even imprisonment she could face in Iran, Maliheh's career flourished and eventually led to her crossing paths with renowned composer and collaborator Ehsan Matoori.
As their friendship developed, Ehsan was touched by Maliheh's struggles and inspired by her bravery and devotion to her dreams. As ideas formed, Matoori drew further inspiration from notable poets and significant events of their homeland – such as the 2019 protests that inspired the title single, released March 15th, 2024 – and began to compose, using Moradi's memoirs as the basis for each piece.
The result is Our Sorrow, an emotional musical journey that shines a light on the complexities of a woman's life in Iran and the daily injustices they face. The darkness explored in these songs is contrasted by the beauty of Moradi's voice, and the artists' love for their country is shown in Matoori's authentic Iranian compositions. Through the album, Maliheh and Ehsan acknowledge the struggles of the women of Iran, the fight for freedom undertaken by all underrepresented peoples, and the power of hope and the determination to see change.
As Maliheh defiantly declares… "One day, I will return to Iran and sing for my people."
For further information please contact Amelia Zimmatore | amelia@arcmusic.co.uk | +44(0)1342 770478
ARC Music Productions Int Ltd, PO Box 111, East Grinstead, RH19 4FZ, UK | www.arcmusic.co.uk