The Seyir Duo performs music which spans from the mystic world of the Sufis to the classical music of ancient Persia. Both Eric and Nathan are multi-instrumentalists, allowing the duo to explore an extensive array of timbres and traditions. Whether it is Egyptian dance music or Armenian folk songs, the duo always strives for an authentic and sensitive approach to the repertoire they perform.

Eric LaPerna has been performing for over 30 years, specializing in Middle Eastern hand drums and stringed instruments. He has performed with many of Maine’s most celebrated artists and ensembles, including the DaPonte String Quartet and the late Udi Alan Shavarsh Bardezbanian, as well as world-renowned musicians, Ross Daly and Mal Barsamian. Eric is a Bates College faculty member and the director of the Bowdoin College Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, the Maine Middle Eastern Orchestra, and the Portland Conservatory of Music Middle Eastern Ensemble, and is a founding member of Okbari and Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble.

Multi-instrumentalist Nathan Kolosko performs and composes music that encompasses a broad range of repertoire and genres; music which embraces ancient traditions as well as contemporary approaches and sensibilities. His compositions have been performed and recorded by numerous musicians, and his works are currently published by Productions D'Oz. Collaboration is a source of inspiration for Nathan. His collaborators have included musicians Carl Dimow, Dan Cosley, and the Middle Eastern ensemble Zapion. Nathan has also had an ongoing collaborative relationship with visual/performance artist Ling-Wen Tsai. In 2021, Nathan and multi-instrumentalist Eric LaPerna formed the Seyir Duo. The duo performs modal music of the near and Middle East. Nathan has an M.A. in classical guitar performance from the University of Denver where he studied with Ricardo Iznaola. Nathan has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including grants from the Allied Arts Foundation, D'Addario Strings, and Maine Arts Commission. Nathan has an active career as an educator and has over twenty-five years of experience as a guitar instructor/professor.

Nathan Kolosko – Oud, Kemence, Saz Eric LaPerna – Lavta, Percussion

Program:

Persian Bayat-e Esfahan Suite

Pishdaramade – Yusef Forutan (1891 -1 979) Suz-o-Gudaz – Mirza Abdollah (1843 – 1918) Reng – Darvish Kahn (1872 – 1926)

Turkish Segah Suite

Pesrev – Büyük Osman Bey (1816 – 1885) Segah Sarki (Song) – Refik Fersan (1893 – 1965)

Armenian Folk Songs

Sirdus Vera – Udi Hrant Kenkulian (1901 – 1978) Hayastan – Traditional