A sustained note from a duduk, a plucked rhythm on the tar, and a melody that circles back on itself. Hamraaz open “Abar Kuh” with a hypnotic sequence that sits between Iranian and Armenian maqam traditions. The track is the title song from the duo’s debut album Abar Kuh, released on 27th March via AudioMaze. Lucie Lelaurain and Khorshid Dadbeh built the piece around improvisation and the specific tonal qualities of their instruments.

The duo met at the Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam, where they began developing a shared language that blends the modal structures of their respective heritages. On “Abar Kuh,” Lelaurain plays duduk and transverse flute while Dadbeh handles tar and tanbour. The arrangement keeps the rhythm sparse, with space between phrases, allowing the breath of the duduk and the plucked attack of the tar to occupy the same ground without crowding each other.

The recording was handled by Davide Fortugno, who recorded, mixed, and mastered the album. Hamraaz describe “Abar Kuh” as a spiritual journey rooted in nature, drawing on the maqam forms of Iran and Armenia but reinterpreted through modern improvisation. The album also features guest musicians Eirini Zogali on oud and Zilan Hasret Yildiz on percussion across several tracks. Hamraaz play Oranjewoud Festival in Heerenveen on 25th May and Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam on 29th May, opening for Demir Erzincan.

Listen to “Abar Kuh”, stream and get your copy of the album via THIS LINK