Bembina Ensemble explore intersections of Middle Eastern and Western Art Music in a multitude of creative projects that aim to inspire and connect musicians and audience alike. From newly composed works such as Rumi in Song by Reza Mirzaei: a fully composed program of Persian music set to the poetry of Molana Rumi with strings, to Arabic meets Argentinean Tango, Mozart with a Middle Eastern twist and Vivaldi re-imagined, Bembina is creating new and exciting sound worlds one performance at a time. Their programs are carefully created with a deep respect for musical cultures at the forefront. Bembina's musicians range in their musical foundations from Persian traditional, Western Classical, Lebanese, Syrian, Argentinean Tango and Arabic traditions, and explore untapped musical soundscapes of informed and sensitive cross-cultural collaboration. Since their first concerts in 2021, Bembina has delighted audiences across Perth with 15+ performances, including: Rumi in Song, French Persian Impressionism, Arabic Tango, Constantinople, Mosaic, Zummorod Baile, Egyptian Nights including newly composed works and arrangements adapted for the instrumentation of the group. Artistic director Julia Watson has created a growing community of musical, cultural celebration and set the path for a long and enriching musical journey for Bembina Ensemble.
Inspired by the strong cultural exchange between Iran and France, particularly through art in the era of flourishing Impressionism in Europe, and the corresponding era in Iran. Bembina presents the luscious string quartet of Fauré alongside Persian Radif and song. Musical explorations with saz, oud, tombak and string orchestra.
Rumi in Song is a newly composed work by Reza Mirzaei, with string arrangements by Julia Watson. This project explores the poetry of famed Persian poet Monlana Rumi with music set to sung poetry and avaz (traditional Persian vocal improvisation), with saz, oud, tombak, daf and strings.
2024 Season soon to be announced …
Exploring intersections of Middle Eastern and Western Art Music.
Spring!
Join Bembina for this vibrant concert to welcome in the season. We have selected a range of our favourite Tango, Arabic, Egyptian, Persian and Turkish songs to be musically explored and enriched with improvisation and playfulness. Full ensemble of strings, oud, percussion, ney, piano and accordion. Join us for this concert!
Sunday 5th Nov, Kidogo Arthouse SOLD OUT
Musicians:
Violins: Julia Watson (artistic director), Teresa Vinci, Sara Duhig, Madeleine Antoine
Oud: Michael Edelby
Riq, ney, darbuka: Zak Malahfji
Tombak, daf: Saeed Danesh
Piano: Sarah Saunders
Accordion: Danilo Da Paz
Viola: Alix Hamilton
Cello: Miranda Murray-Yong
Double Bass: Kirsty Collins
Constantinople
Exploring the Bembina Ensemble is excited to present this program of diverse works including Mozart Divertimento in D Major, K. 136, Vivaldi's L'Estro Armonico Op. 3 No. 2 in G Minor, a range of Turkish, Persian and Arabic songs including Üsküdar, Lama Bada, Sari Gelin, Fairuz favourite and more with full ensemble of strings, saz, oud, ney, tombak, daf, darbuka and riq.
Musicians:
Violins: Julia Watson (artistic director), Teresa Vinci, Sara Duhig, Madeleine Antoine
Saz: Reza Mirzaei
Oud: Michael Edelby
Riq, ney, darbuka: Zak Malahfji
Tombak, daf: Iman Sepahsalari
Viola: Alix Hamilton
Cello: Miranda Murray-Yong
Double Bass: Kirsty Collins
Zumorrod Baile
Evocative sounds of Arabic, Egyptian, Piazzolla entwined with artistry. With oud, accordion, piano, percussion and Bembina strings. Join us on this journey through musical landscapes.
Kidogo Arthouse, Fremantle
Sat 3 June 7pm. Tickets
Sun 4 June 4pm. Tickets SOLD OUT
Rumi in Song
Bembina presents a newly composed program of beautiful poetry from Molana Jalaleddin Rumi, sung in Farsi with saz, tombak, daf and strings. We are so happy to be performing the soulful compositions of Reza Mirzaei that is Rumi in Song. We hope you will join us, Bembina concerts regularly sell out - please book your ticket to avoid disappointment.
Two concerts:
Sat 15th April 4pm Swanbourne. Tickets
Sun 16th April 4pm Kidogo, Fremantle. Tickets SOLD OUT
Looking forward to welcoming you to these gorgeous concerts.
Egyptian Nights: Astor’s Alchemy
Piazzolla’s fiery Tango meets Egyptian maqam and song in this melting pot of musical cultures.
Sunday 14 Aug (6pm & 8pm) Kidogo Arthouse SOLD OUT
Sunday 28 Aug (doors 5.30pm) Lyric’s Underground
Musicians:
Julia Watson, violin + artistic direction
Sarah Saunders, piano
Danilo da Paz, accordion
Michael Edelby, oud
Saeed Danesh, tombak + daf
Sara Duhig, violin
Teresa Vinci, violin
Alix Hamilton, viola
Miranda Murray-Yong, cello
Kirsty Collins, bass
Summer
Summer is a celebration of our favourite Egyptian, Arabic and Persian repertoire, alongside Vivaldi's Summer, reimagined for this ensemble. A bright musical exploration presented with Saz, Oud, Tombak, and the Bembina strings. Join us for our musical celebration of Summer.
Sunday 6th February 6.30pm, Moana Hall
One date only in the stunning heritage venue Moana Hall.
Musicians:
Artistic Director / Violin - Julia Watson
Saz - Reza Mirzaei
Tombak / Daf - Saeed Danesh
Oud - Michael Edelby
Bembina Strings Violin: Rachael Aquilina, Viola: Alix Hamilton, Cello: Miranda Murray-Yong, Bass: Kirsty Collins.
Arabic Tango Nuevo
Tango Nuevo of Piazzolla meets Arabic song and taqasim. Join us for this vibrant program with String Orchestra and special guests on piano, accordion, oud and percussion.
Thursday 4th November 7.30pm, Lyric’s Underground SOLD OUT
Sunday 7th November 7.30pm, Kidogo Arthouse SOLD OUT
Sunday 28th November 3pm, St George’s College
Musicians:
Artistic Director / Violin - Julia Watson
Piano - Sarah Saunders
Accordion - Danilo da Paz
Oud - Michael Edelby
Frame Drum / Tombak / Daf - Saeed Danesh
String Orchestra - Violin: Teresa Vinci, Emma Buss, Sara Duhig, Viola: Alix Hamilton, Cello: Miranda Murray-Yong, Bass: Kirsty Collins.
Persian + French Impressionism
The luscious string quartet of Fauré meets Persian Radif and song. Presented by String Orchestra and special guests on saz, oud and tombak.
Sunday 1st August 4pm, Kidogo Arthouse SOLD OUT
Thursday 5th August 7pm, Lyric’s Underground SOLD OUT
Musicians:
Artistic Director / Violin - Julia Watson
Saz - Reza Mirzaei
Tombak / Daf - Saeed Danesh
Oud - Michael Edelby
String Orchestra - Violin: Teresa Vinci, Emma Buss, Sara Duhig, Rachael Aquilina, Olivia Bartlett, Viola: Alix Hamilton, Christian Read, Cello: Sacha McCulloch, Miranda Murray-Yong.