In Mid-Eastern music theory, this term signifies a link between two compositions. Musical director Dr. Vladimir Ivanoff, who founded Sarband in 1986, connects cultures, people and epochs, both as a scholar and a musician. The cooperation in the ensemble is not a fashionable crossover, but conceived as a continuous dialogue on equal terms. Annual summer workshops with Sarband connect music students from Germany and Near Eastern countries.

While today the religious, economic, cultural and political differences between Orient and Occident are inthe focus of public attention, Sarband endeavor to show that music was always not mere decoration, but an enlightened means of mutual respect and can even today be an example for understanding and acceptance, a model of peace. Possible peaceful relations between Orient and Occident, between religions, have become commonplace in recent cultural activities. Many projects worldwide try to convey the message that Orient and Occident belong together, that different religions can communicate, but - like worldwide politics - they don't show how these goals can be achieved. With their programs, Sarband in contrast demonstrate the importance of the past for the future: history proves that religious, cultural, political conflict shave indeed been solved successfully, but always through personal devotion of human beings to their personal beliefs and their tolerance towards the diversity of human beings.

Programs with Early Music repertoires link historically informed European performance practice with the living traditions of the Mediterranean. In co-operations with other ensembles (for example the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Bremen Philharmonic, Dresden Philharmonic, Ensemble Resonanz, RIAS Chamber Choir, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, King's Singers, Concerto Köln, Mystère des Voix Bulgares), distinctions between cultures and religions, between old and new are fathomed; historical and modern concepts of the Other and the Foreign are reflected between the performers and the audience.

With this unique repertoire, Sarband have gained an international reputation, released numerous CDs and performed at many international venues and festivals.

Sarband received numerous awards, among them: 1994 : Grammy Nomination / 2003 & 2006: Echo Klassik / 2007: Premio Mousiké / 2008 German World Music Award.