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Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing

by Kian Ravaei & Brandon Zhou

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1.
Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing: I. The Sprite 02:18
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2.
Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing: II. The Siren 03:45
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3.
Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing: III. The Sphinx 02:25
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4.
Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing: IV. The Simurgh 04:30
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5.
Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing: V. The Sea Serpent 02:31
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6.
Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing: VI. The Shadhahvar 04:19
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about

Composer Kian Ravaei and pianist Brandon Zhou release their debut EP Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing, a collection of piano pieces inspired by mythical creatures. Each movement spotlights the mythology of a different culture, from European folklore and Ancient Greek legend to Persian fable, reflecting the composer’s multifaceted identity as an American-born child of Iranian immigrants. Zhou brings his vast emotional range and technical skill to Ravaei’s colorful piano writing.

“The Sprite” portrays a nimble and mischievous fairy from European folklore. “The Siren” brings to mind the creatures from Homer’s Odyssey who lure sailors to their death with their enchanting singing voices. “The Sphinx” conjures up the mercilessly riddling creature of ancient Egyptian mythology. “The Simurgh” represents the enormous, benevolent bird from Persian mythology, who symbolizes rebirth. “The Sea Serpent” evokes a sinuous serpent who drags sailors to the depths of the ocean. “The Shadhahvar” depicts a legendary deer whose antlers create music when held in the wind, like an Aeolian harp.

The piece takes its name from Zakariya al-Qazwini’s thirteenth-century cosmographical treatise, containing descriptions of every living thing in existence, including many creatures which we may now consider mythological. Ravaei and Zhou began collaborating on this project while students at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, refining the twenty-minute work over a span of two years.

credits

released December 2, 2022

Composed by Kian Ravaei
Brandon Zhou, piano

Recorded May 2022, Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Kian Ravaei and Brandon Zhou
Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Steve Kaplan

Album art by Fiona Hsu

kianravaei.com

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Kian Ravaei Los Angeles, California

Whether composing piano preludes inspired by mythical creatures, flute melodies that mimic the songs of endangered birds, or a string quartet that draws from the Iranian music of his ancestral heritage, composer Kian Ravaei takes listeners on a spellbinding tour of humanity’s most deeply-felt emotions. ... more

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