“We have fallen into the place where everything is music,” wrote Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet, for whom music and dance were ecstatic pathways to the divine. “Open the window in the center of your chest, and let the spirits fly in and out.” 

The art of improvisation lies at the heart of classical Persian music. The Liän Ensemble—founded by three composer/instrumentalists, Houman Pourmehdi (tonbak, percussion, nay), Pirayeh Pourafar (tar), and Mahsid Mirzadeh (santour) is a group of renowned performers based in Los Angeles who embrace these two realms with warmth and exquisite sophistication. Along with Mani Bolouri, Kamanche and Gheychak the ensemble is driven by a dauntless dedication to musicial experiementation. The intensely woven textures of their music and gentle reciprocity of their playing has been described by the LA Times as “gifted” and “virtuosic”.

“When LiänEnsemble begins to play, the hues of their exquisite instruments, the mystic poetry, the superb improvisations . . . all of these elements converge, and the subtle alchemy begins to work its magic, generating sparks that have transported their huge audiences time after time. . . .  Come closer to the fire, and enjoy the light.—John Schneider, host of Global Village, KPFK.

The beautiful Wayfarers glass Chapel is on the National Register of Historic Places and is surrounded by
over three acres of gardens and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Produced by Wayfarers Chapel