It’s near impossible to believe that Mohammad Reza Mortazavi’s musical efforts are the work of just one man. Taking up traditional Iranian hand drums – the daf and tombak, of which he is a world famous master – he produces a cascade of trace-inducing patterns that far more resemble computer-synthesised than human-made sounds. Having revolutionised the instruments’ playing techniques, the percussion virtuoso harnesses his unique dexterity to craft hypnotic polyphonic rhythms and refined melodies with endless variation.

Thursday, August 3