Tember is a Transcultural Electroacoustic Music Ensemble formed in Berlin to create innovative music with new sound timbre and unique atmospheres using both traditional and contemporary (electroacoustic) music elements and techniques. 

The ensemble is mainly formed by Alireza Ostovar (composition & live-electronics), Valentina Bellanova (nay/flute), Kioomars Musayyebi (Iranian santur), and Petros Tzekos (percussions).

Tember Ensemble is open to new formations and collaborations, combining different instrumentations with live-electronics and creating interdisciplinary performances. 

The ensemble has collaborated with international guest musicians and artists such as Arman Moghadam (video artist), Azin Zahedi (flutist & santur player), Pouria Solhjou (tanbur player),  Sebastian Flaig (percussion), Marcellina Liebner (contemporary dance), Beatrice Babin (live-video), Shahrzad Rahmani (scenography), etc.

Tember has notably produced multiple albums, including:

‘La Makan,‘ a project inspired by the spiritual depth of Moulana Rumi’s poetry. This album’s title, borrowed from one of Rumi’s poetic works, serves as an ode to spirituality. ‘La Makan‘ is intricately connected to Rumi’s profound verses and specifically focuses on the enchanting sound of Santur. It explores the Santur’s metamorphosis through the infusion of live-electronics. The ensemble’s endeavor in ‘La Makan’ goes beyond musical innovation; it delves into the creation of inventive compositions and improvisations, drawing inspiration from Rumi’s spiritual insights to craft new sonic landscapes.

“Land Scape,” which focused primarily on Tanbur’s sound and Kurdish maqams and spiritual poetries, Live 2022, recorded from the live performance of the Land Scape album with a different arrangement with santur and percussions.

“Fall and Rise,” a piece by Alireza Ostovar about “life and death” inspired by Maulana’s (Rumi’s) poetry called “When I Die.”

“Moers Journey,” This live album is performed and recorded in the renowned ‘Moers Jazz Festival’ in 2023, with each piece as an evocative narrative interwoven into their participation in the festival, not only encapsulating the essence of their musical identity but mostly paying attention to the issues in the political landscapes of Iran. This is a deep and sincere regard and respect for the whole body of human beings who work to bring awareness and amplify the sounds of people in Iran. This ensemble became a powerful medium for the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement in Germany, explicitly touching the subject with every spontaneous note and rhythm.

The ensemble hopes that making art, and in case this effort to produce the album, can resonate with calls for peace in Iran, West-Asia, and move towards a more peaceful world.

Music and video recording releases and documentation

Interview

https://www1.wdr.de/fernsehen/west-art/sendungen/tember-ensemble-moers-festival-100.html

News

• Great News for our TEMBER ENSEMBLE We are thrilled to announce that we’ve been featured in the Musikfonds Magazine, highlighting funded projects from 2020-2023! It’s an honor to be part of this beautifully designed selection. A huge thank you to @musikfonds.de for funding our projects and including us in this amazing imprint! https://www.yumpu.com/…/read/68718403/musikfonds-2020-2023 (See the pages 214 or 218-221 on the PDF)

• Two of our recent albums have been nominated in two categories for the first long list of the 2024 prestigious “Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik” (PdSK) awards. “Moers Journey” by Tember Ensemble – Released in November 2023 via Noise a’ Noise label, this album has been nominated in the “Electronic and Experimental” and “Grenzgänge” (border crossing) categories. “Fall and Rise” Live 2022 -composed by Alireza Ostovar and self-released in September 2023- received a nomination in the “Electronic and Experimental” category.

• November 26th, 2023, at 8 PM concert at Tak Theater Berlin. Tember Ensemble: Valentina Bellanova (nay, fl), Petros Tzekos (perc), Kioomars Musayyebi (Iranian santur), Ali Ostovar (live-electronics/Mixer) will present the new album of Tember called “Moers Journey” releasing by Noise a’ Noise label. More info here

• May 28th, 2023 at 3 PM concert at Mores festival. Tember Ensemble & guests: Valentina Bellanova (nay, fl), Petros Tzekos (perc), Kioomars Musayyebi (Iranian santur), Arman Moghadam (live video), Ali Ostovar (live-electronics/Mixer). More info here

• September 17th, 2022 at 8 PM, “FALL AND RISE” is a transcultural interdisciplinary performance by Alireza Ostovar in collaboration with Tember Ensemble and guests at Vierte Welt in Berlin. (more info here)

• Saturday, June 11th, 2022, at 7 pm. *Open Air Concert* at B.L.O. Ateliers in Berlin, organized by BLO Ateliers. 1st SET: Oud and live electronics. 2nd SET: Tanbur, Percussion, and live-electronics.

• Saturday, June 4th, 2022 *Sound of Love* 7:30 pm, at institut für west-östliche musik e.v in Berlin, organized by Alireza ostrovar in collaboration with institut für west-östliche musik e.v.

• Saturday, May 28th, 2022 *album release concert: Land Scape* 7 pm, at B.L.O. Ateliers in Berlin, organized by HIER & JETZT: Tember Ensemble & guest: Alireza Ostovar, Azin Zahedi & Pouria Solhjou (live-electronics, Santur & Tanbur). Video link here

• “Land Scape” is a new album by Tember Ensemble and guests. It’s available on all major music streaming platforms. Tanbur & vocal: Pouria Solhjou, Santur & Flute: Azin Zahedi, Back-vocal: Aysel Shahmoradi. Live-Electronics, production, mix & mastering: Alireza Ostovar (a.k.a Ali Ostovar). Links: Bandcamp, Spotify.

• 3rd, 10th, and 11th December 2021 Concert series, album release concert by Tember Ensemble and guests. in Berlin at Institut für West Östliche Musik e.V. at 20 PM. Organized by Tember Emsemble members: Alireza Ostovar & Azin Zahedi. video links here

• 4th December 2021, Workshop “Transcultural Electroacoustic Music” in Berlin at Institut für West Östliche Musik e.V. at 16 PM. More info coming soon.

• New Album “La Makan” (2021) released.