SOLO & COLLABORATIONS

PAWN – Interactive Concert-Performance

PAWN is a 50-minute interactive concert-performance by Atena Eshtiaghi that borrows the symbolism of chess and turns it into a living reflection on global unrest and wars. Through the interplay of music, sound, and movement, three musicians, on cello, piano, and bass clarinet, are joined by three performers who embody the cycle of the never-ending game.

The live acoustic instruments offer dialogue with the recorded music, layered with an electro-acoustic soundscape composed from archival documentary sounds from the affected regions.

PAWN is an invitation to witness, to feel, to question, and perhaps, to remember our own role in systems of power. Movement, presence, and perception follow where the music leads. Within this soundscape, each person is asked to listen not only to the world, but to themselves.

ATENA ESHTIAGHI & CLARA HABERKAMP

The established Jazz pianist and composer Clara Haberkamp met the well-known Iranian cellist and composer Atena Eshtiaghi in Hamburg and they founded DUO AZADI in 2022. The Persian word AZADI means freedom and that is what their music is about. Open forms, improvisations free of stylistic categories, and experimental sound searching.
The duo combines complex rhythms with a soft gesture of late romantic music and a jazz approach. The two well-experienced musicians create an individual way of improvisation by linking Persian ancient cycle rhythms and quarter tones with modern Jazz harmonics.
Despite their different cultural backgrounds, they share very similar artistic and philosophical points of view. Honoring Hanna Arendt’s statement ‘life is a narrative’, for DUO AZADI life and music aren’t separated, their unique sound and compositions tell their own story. In every note Eshtiaghi and
Haberkamp express their desire for freedom, independence, and a peaceful world. Their first song ‘Overflow’ was dedicated to the brave women in Iran during the Women-Life-Freedom Revolution.

ATENA ESHTIAGHI & GOLNAR SHAHYAR

In Reflective Hold, two Experienced Iranian musicians, Golnar Shahyar (piano, vocal, compositions) and Atena Eshtiaghi (cello, compositions), draw listeners into a world where authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy ripple through every note. Their performances reflect a journey of personal truth and shared stories, inviting listeners to see their own reflections in the depths of each composition.
In this shared space, music becomes a dialogue, an exploration of resilience, dignity, and the courage to express one’s inner voice. With newly arranged Iranian art songs and original pieces, Golnar and Atena bring forth a spirit of defiance and a profound love for life, captured in their unique musical language.
Reflective Hold is more than a concert; it is an invitation to look inward, to resonate with echoes of strength and hope, and to share in the poetic beauty of connection and renewal.

ATENA ESHTIAGHI

In her solo project, Atena Eshtiaghi presents a blend of classical and Persian music influences in her compositions, merging traditional elements with contemporary electro-acoustic sounds. Atena combines the resonance of the cello and bass Gheychak with the dynamic textures of electro-acoustic elements.
Drawing from the rich cultural heritage of her roots, Atena creates a musical journey that allows the audience to traverse a landscape of memories, dreams, and shared human experiences. In her performances, she records and transforms sounds into moments, offering a sonic experience.
Through this project, Atena aims to foster a space for dialogue between diverse musical styles, cultures, and individuals. She extends an invitation to her audience to join her on this journey, as she weaves together stories and emotions through the language of music and sounds.