Program Note:

Eastend I is the first in a series of pieces I’ve written for solo classical guitar. I named the series Eastend as a personal nod to the part of the world I call home, the East, and to the roots that shape how I hear and write music.

The guitar has always been a constant in my life. It’s my primary instrument and my favorite way to explore sound, no matter the genre. This piece reflects my journey as a guitarist and my love for many styles of guitar music, especially classical, flamenco, and blues which have a strong presence in how this piece came together.

When composing Eastend I, I experimented with a special tuning (scordatura) that gave the guitar a deeper, darker tone. From there, I let the music grow naturally, focusing on melodies that felt spontaneous and free, like improvisation, but shaped with care. I wanted the piece to move easily between different moods and colors, and to let the traditions I love blend in a way that felt honest to my own voice.

This piece was performed at Avini Hall – College of fine arts back in 2024, by my good friend Benyamin Mobasher Amini.