Afghan Song Now Banned

Ethnic Music, Intermediate Cellists, Online Purchase
First published on May 17, 2024 by Seb
Last updated on May 18, 2024 by Seb

Cellist and conductor Dan Allcott rearranged a popular Afghan song, “Bia ke borem ba Mazar”, previously performed by his friend William Harvey on the violin, for the cello, self-accompanied. The title of the song means: “Let’s go to the lover city of Mazar-e-Sharif”. When played unaccompanied thus on a solo string instrument, the tune sounds even more haunting and exotic than voiced versions.

Songs like this are now banned in Afghanistan, since the Taliban took over.

William Harvey performed this piece on the violin at the ruins of Darul Aman Palace back in 2015.

Here is violinist Harvey explaining in 2021 how this music is now banned in Afghanistan.

The written score for self-accompanied cello can be purchased online at jwpepper.com.