Autumn music performances slowly begin
With the conclusion of the mourning days of the months of Muharram and Safar, once again Tehran’s concert halls are getting ready to welcome music enthusiasts.
The two-month hiatus during Muharram and Safar provided an ideal opportunity for musicians of various genres to prepare thoroughly and return to the stage after the first four months of concert inactivity, which had lasted from the beginning of the Iranian year until July 22. Some pop musicians have already shared new songs on their social media pages and, undoubtedly, these pieces will be heard and performed during the upcoming live performances of the new season.
Over 1,070 concerts in four months
According to the Music Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, in the first three months of the Iranian year (March 21-June 21), 776 performances were held, and in the month ending on July 22, 294 concerts were organized across the country. In total, during this four-month period, 1,070 concerts took place, indicating a significant increase compared to the last two years and possibly even earlier.
Tehran Symphony Orchestra a pioneer in autumn concerts
Notably, there has been no news of the presence or performance of pop singers up to this point, and even on their social media pages, there have been no announcements regarding their autumn concerts. Therefore, the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Manouchehr Sahbaei, will be the pioneer of the new concert season, with its first autumn performance scheduled for September 27 and 28 in Vahdat Hall.
In this performance, Sahbaei will lead the Tehran Symphony Orchestra in renditions of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Hossein Nasehi’s ‘Dance at the Court of Samangan King,’ Hungarian Dances No. 1, 4, 5, and 10, and the first movement of Brahms’ Symphony No. 4.
‘Chopin and Liszt Night’ piano recital
Another musical event to look forward to is the piano recital by Fereidun Nasehi, titled ‘Chopin and Liszt Night,’ which will be held at Vahdat Hall on September 29.
Nasehi, a renowned musician and pianist, has collaborated with prominent artists such as Fereydoun Naseri, Iraj Sahbaei, and Nader Mashayekhi over the years. His program will feature compositions by classical music giants, promising an exceptional musical experience.
Nasehi, the son of the renowned Iranian composer Hossein Nasehi, received a scholarship in 1975 to pursue his studies in Germany. Following the completion of his studies in solo piano performance and numerous recitals in Germany and Austria, he returned to Iran. Since then, he has held several performances at Vahdat Hall and Niavaran Cultural Center.
‘Shahpar’ and the ‘Shahnameh’ narrative with music
Another autumn performance is dedicated to the first music concert by the fusion music group ‘Shahpar,’ scheduled for October 2 at the Khalij-e Fars Cultural Center in Niavaran Cultural Complex.
This concert, titled ‘Shahnameh Night,’ is inspired by Ferdowsi’s epic masterpiece. The group will perform pieces accompanied by verses from the stories of Rostam and Sohrab, Rostam and Esfandiar, Fereidun and Zahhak, Manuchehr Shah, Keykhosrow, Afrasiyab, and the tales of Siavash.
The fusion music group, led by Mohsen Mar’ashi, has been active for several years, incorporating the words of Persian literary giants such as Ferdowsi, Rumi, Hafez, and Khayyam into their music.
‘The Silky Constellations’
Another music performance taking place at the Artists House will be the concert ‘The Silky Constellations,’ a research-based performance featuring the tambourine playing of Niknaz Mirqalami, scheduled for September 29 at 19:00 in the Shahnaz Hall. Mirqalami will present her performance in 12 maqams of this instrument. Maqam is the principal melodic concept in Middle Eastern musical thought and practice
International performances
During this period, concerts featuring well-known Iranian singers will also be held outside the country. Homayoun Shajarian will perform in Hamburg, Munich, Vienna, and the Netherlands on October 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8. Alireza Qorbani will have performances in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal on November 3, 5, 11, and 12. Majid Razavi, a pop music artist, will also perform in Dubai on October 13.