Maya Fridman is one of the most adventurous cellists in the Netherlands. She sees music as something magical, and she loves to transport her audience to that experience. For Thunder Perfect Mind, premiering in June at the Oranjewoud Festival, she joins forces with top musicians from various quarters. With echoes of Byzantine liturgical chants and an ancient spiritual text as its anchor, a colorful musical tapestry unfolds. Traditional sounds of Greek-Cypriot folk music, Persian music, and Andalusian and Sephardic colors merge with new compositions and exciting improvisations.

Soheil Shayesteh’s Persian kamancheh and live electronics create refined melodies. The crossover qualities of Spanish string prodigy Efrén López add depth to the colors of Greek and Ottoman traditions. The group’s indispensable rhythmic heartbeat is provided by Swiss musician Ruven Ruppik, and soprano Kristia Michaels gives the music an almost otherworldly quality.

Composition and cello: Maya Fridman | Composition, violin, kamancheh, and visuals: Soheil Shayesteh | Strings: Efrén López | Soprano: Kristia Michael | Percussion: Ruven Ruppik