Chârsegâh was written for the Persian Kamancheh virtuoso Sohrab Pournazeri and was completed in 2023. Reza Vali’s concerto consists of two movements. The slow first movement is based on the Persian mode of Châhargâh. A quick modulation leads to the fast second movement which is based on the Persian mode of Segâh. During the cadenza, the soloist makes a modulation back to Chahârgâh and the piece ends in this mode. The title of the piece “Chârsegâh” reflects the fact that the work is simultaneously in two Persian modes, the Chargâh and the Segâh. The Iranshahr Orchestra gave the premiere performance in Los Angeles on March 3, 2024, Shahâb Pâranj conducting and Sohrab Pournazeri as the soloist.
The solo violoncello and piano work on which Longing for Solo Violoncello and Orchestra is based is the sixteenth set of an ongoing cycle of Persian folk songs that Reza Vali has been composing since 1978. That piece was written for Kian Soltani and consists of seven songs, some of which are based on authentic Persian folk melodies and some of which are composed in the style of a folk song (imaginary folk songs). The original solo cello and piano version, titled “Persian Folk Songs: Set No. 16C,” is available separately from the publisher.