Throughout the last decade, Europe-based non-European musicians from various diasporas have had opportunities to raise their voices and showcase the creativity and complexity of their classical, traditional, and folk music. Europe hosts musicians from all around the world, including those who have studied there and those who have brought their cultural assets of classical or folk music from their own regions.

One of the most challenging terms we have encountered over the years is "World Music." When all cultures not rooted in Europe and the United States are placed in one category, it diminishes the complexity, dignity, and diversity of the rest of the world. In this project, it is crucial for us to acknowledge this fact and strive for equality between art and culture from Europe and the rest of the world.

Mahan Mirarab, the musical director of the ensemble, has lived in Austria since 2009 and has worked as a freelance musician since 2010, serving as an instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and musical director. Yalda Yazdani, the curator of the Inner Unity Ensemble, is an ethnomusicologist who has curated various music festivals in Germany, such as the Female Voice of Iran and Afghanistan, in collaboration with Contemporary Opera Berlin, focusing on female voices in the Middle East.

In February 2023, at the Duisburg Philharmonie, we came together for our first performance, bringing different musical backgrounds to create a repertoire that incorporates our individual musical languages. We strive to find a sound that utilizes modal and microtonal concepts in Iranian Radif or Arabic and Turkish Maqams, accompanying them with diverse harmonic concepts in European classical music and jazz. Rhythm and dance are integral to each culture, so we aim to incorporate rhythmic accents into our arrangements.

Our ensemble features a diverse collection of sounds and melodies, exemplifying diversity in music. Samin Ghorbani is an Iranian singer with Azerbaijani roots, whose vocal quality demonstrates how the human voice can touch people regardless of language or dialect. Uygur Vural is a unique cellist from Turkey who plays Turkish Maqams on his cello in a distinctive style. His great sense of rhythm allows him to alternate roles as a cellist or bassist within the ensemble. Valentina Bellanova is one of the few European musicians deeply passionate about Arabic and Turkish Maqam music, immersing herself in these traditions and learning a new musical language. She plays various wind instruments, adding a rich palette of colors and melodies to our music. Amir Wahba is a percussionist, proficient in many percussion instruments with great knowledge of rhythm structures in Middle Eastern music. Shabnam Parvaresh is a clarinet player and composer who creatively integrates elements of Iranian classical music and jazz in her performances.

Concerts:

• 08.12.2023 PANDA Women Festival, Berlin, Germany
• 17.03.2024 Nowruz Festival, Zurich, Switzerland
• 23. 03. 2024  Imago Dei Festival, Krems, Austria