A legendary supernatural bird in Persian literature Oiseau fabuleux de la légende iranienne „Schahname“ Ferdowsi’s poetic opus, the Shahnameh, is not only one of the most extraordinary works in Persian literature – it ranks among the masterpieces of the world’s literary treasures. In sheer magnitude, with over fifty thousand verses, our national epic comprises more than twice the number of verses of Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad and twenty times more than the German Le Livre des rois (Shâhnâmeh) de Ferdowsi- poète épique persan de la fin du Xème siècle- n’est pas seulement le plus epic, Nibelungensage. The Shahnameh is indeed unequalled as a literary work. important monument de la littérature persane, mais aussi un des chefs d’œuvre de la littérature mondiale. Cette épopée composée de cinquante mille distiques brossant une fresque mythologique où protohistoire et histoire se succèdent dans un And if we look at other Persian poets who have explored the themes of love, despair, envy and zeal, we find that while Fer- même souffle épique, contient deux fois plus de distiques que l’épopée d’Homère, l’Iliade et l’ Odyssée, et vingt fois plus dowsi deals with the same themes, he also unveils the science of Iranian epic history and legends and leads the reader deep que l’épopée allemande Nibelungen. into the spirit of his characters, probing a vast array of human feeling. He carries the reader with him to the battlefields and Parallèlement aux richesses du nombre de distiques et de notions comme l’amour, la nostalgie, l’enthousiasme, le Shâh- the feasts. He paints these scenes masterfully, giving the stories vibrant, tangible expression for his readers. The difficulty of nâmeh illustre des scènes des contes mythiques de l’Iran antique et ramène le lecteur au coeur de l’histoire de ses héros, de using musical narration to portray Ferdowsi’s epic stories lies herein. leurs champs de batailles et de leurs scènes de plaisirs, d’où la difficulté d’une version musicale de ces contes. La musique est l’art de transmettre des concepts comme l’amour, la haine, la nostalgie, mais quand il s’agit de raconter une scène Simorq, the story of the birth and growing up of Zaal and his love for Roodabeh, the daughter of King Mehrab of Kabal, is vivante, alors la version musicale rencontre des difficultés. one of the most beautiful and, in structural terms, complete facets of the Shahnameh. L’orchestration dans la musique iranienne ne date pas de très longtemps et les oeuvres d’orchestration sont très rares. In this story, Ferdowsi has interwoven human preoccupations with luck, fate and destiny, greed, fear and disgrace with the Pour créer une oeuvre d’après un texte tel que le Shâhnâmeh, le musicien a besoin d’un ensemble de différents thèmes et need and desire for fame and love, under the canopy of the epic story. The story of Simorq, apart from its literary beauty, is mélodies et d’une polyphonie de plusieurs airs. Ce sont justement ces complications qui ont empêché les musiciens iraniens also informed by an inner music. de présenter une version musicale de cette immense oeuvre. Simorq, dont l’histoire raconte la naissance et la croissance de Zâl, l’enfant albinos dont l’oiseau devient la nourrice, est l’une des plus belles et des plus complexes des histoires du Shâhnâmeh. Dans cette histoire, Ferdowsi aborde, dans un souffle Eine musikalische Interpretation des iranischen épique, des thèmes comme la destinée, la peur, la malédiction et surtout l’amour. Nationalepos „Schahname“

Ferdowsis Schahname ist nicht nur eines der berühmtesten Meisterwerke der persischen Lyrik, sondern auch eines der größten der Weltliteratur. So ist der über fünfzigtausend Verse umfassende Nationalepos Irans doppelt so groß wie Homers Epen und zwanzigmal umfangreicher als das Nibelungenlied. Dies ist jedoch nicht alles, was Schahname so einzigartig macht. Während sich die Werke anderer persischsprachiger Dichter hauptsächlich mit abstrakten Inhalten des menschlichen Wesens wie Liebe, Anmut und Sehnsucht befassen, geht Ferdowsi einen Schritt weiter; er nimmt den Leser nicht nur mit in die tiefsten Punkte und verborgernsten Ecken der Seele seiner Helden, sondern führt sie auch mitten hinein in mystische Schlachten und Festivitäten, welche dem Leser wie lebendige und lebhafte Szenerien erscheinen. „Simorq“ handelt von Sam, einer Urgestalt des iranischen Heldentums, von seinem aufgrund seines Aussehens verstoßenen Sohnes Zaal, von Simorq, der den neugeborenen Prinzen in seine Obhut nimmt und schließlich von der leidenschaftlichen und feurigen Liebe des tot geglaubten jedoch zurückgekehrten Prinzen zu Roodabe, Tochter eines Königs, dessen Vorfahren zu den Größten Feinden Irans zählten.

Somit ist diese Sage einer der schönsten und zugleich strukturell Kompliziertesten Teile Schahnames, in dem Ferdowsi Liebe, Hass, Glück, Schicksal, Ruf, Verruf und insbesondere die ewige Sehnsucht des Menschen nach dem Unerreichbaren gleichermaßen in Szene setzt.

2 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 3 Hamid Motebassem Homayoun Shajarian Composer and Tar & Setar Player Singer (Soloist) Hamid Motebassem was born in 1958 in Mashad, Iran. is a Persian classical music vocalist, as well as a Tombak and Kamancheh He was raised in a musical family, where his brother was a violinist and player. He was born (21 May 1975) in Tehran in a music-dedicated family. his first teacher was his father, Ali Motebassem who played the Tar. His He is the son of Mohammad Reza Shajarian, who is in turn the grand subsequent teachers included the masters Habiballah Salehi, Zeydallah master vocalist of traditional Persian music. Toloie, Houshang Zarif, Hossein Alizadeh and Mohammad Reza Lotfi. He began studying knowledge of technique and rhythm under Motebassem studied in the Tehran School of Art and the Conservatory of supervision of Nasser Farhangfar, master of Tombak, at the age of five. Persian Music. He was a member of the Chavosh Cultural Center where he Afterwards, he also continued learning Tombak under Jamshid Mohebbi’s taught music. One of the original members of Aref Ensemble, he founded supervision. Dastan Ensemble as well as Ensemble Chakavak, Mezrab & Pardis upon immigration to Germany in 1986. Hamid Motebassem is the founder of He commenced learning Persian traditional vocal Avaz under father’s su- the Society of Tar and Setar and has since 1994 organized annual semi- pervision and gained knowledge of Avaz techniques and voice-producing. nars dedicated to the two instruments. He has performed on numerous albums of contemporary Iranian compos- Simultaneously, he attended Tehran Conservatory of Music and chose ers as well as on all the released works of Dastan Ensemble since 1992. Kamancheh as his professional instrument as well as being tutored by Ardeshir Kamkar. He joined Ava Music Ensemble in 1991. He accompanied Discography: father, Hossein Alizadeh and Keyhan Kalhor in concerts of Ava Music • Bamdad • Gol-e Behesht Ensemble, playing Tombak. • The Scent of Norooz • Maah Aroos Discography: • The Song of the Sea • LoolianQeijak-e Koli • Nasim-e Wasl • Naghsh-e khyal • Saz-e No, Avaz-e No • Be Nam-e Gol-e Sorkh • Na-shakiba • Khorshid-e Arezou • Dastan Trio • Shurideh (Winner of the title “Musical Shock“ in the music • Showgh-e doest • Qeijak-e Koli • Dastan Duet journal, Le Monde and the recipient of the 2003 Best Music • Hanaie of the Year Award from the French Ministry of Culture.)

4 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 5 Hooman Khalatbari Conductor Born on April 17th

Hooman Khalatbari studied piano with Nayyerh Oskouyi, Lilly Sarkisian, and Melik Aslanian. He also studied harmony and counterpoint with Fer- eydoun Nasseri, composition with Ahmad Pejman, and the principles of orchestral conducting with Thomas Christian David and Heshmat Sanjari.

He graduated with a B. Mus. from the University of Arts in 1996, having studied Iranian traditional music and Setar playing with Mehrbanu Tofigh, and classical music with Sharif Lotfi, Houshang Kamkar, Amir- Ashraf Arianpour, and Kambiz Roshan-Rawan. From 1988 to 1996, he was the principal pianist of Tehran Symphony Orchestra, assistant conductor of Tehran Symphony Choir, principal pianist for Bahman Cultural Center (BCC) orchestra and choir, and assistant conductor to Prof. Thomas Chris- tian David with Tehran Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr. Khalatbari moved to Austria in 1997 and entered Kunstuniversität Graz, where he studied choral conducting under Rupert Huber and Johannes Prinz, orchestral conducting under Arturo Tamayo, Raffi Armenian and Martin Sieghart. He also studied Opera conducting under Wolfgang Bozic and Günter Fruhmann. He graduated with honours in 2006 with degrees in both choral and orchestral conducting.

He was the assistant conductor (and later the principal conductor) of the Junger Kuenstler opera festival in Graz between 1999 to 2001, and the founder and artistic director of the Kirchstetten Castle International Music Festival in northern Austria since 2001. He will be celebrating the latter festival’s 11th season with a performance of Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus later this year.

Mr. Khalatbari has frequently appeared at the podium of the Graz Opera since 2001, where his conducting repertoire for the 2010-2011 season has included Verdi’s La Traviata, Richard Strauss’ Die Frau Ohne Schatten, Gounod’s Faust, and Shostako- vich’s Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.

Mr. Khalatbari’s conducting repertoire spans a wide spectrum of musical traditions, ranging from classical (opera and symphonic) to atonal and contemporary music, and reflects his eclectic musical tastes. Conducting the combined forces of a Persian music Ensemble for the world premiere of the Mr.Motebassem,s Simorq Project with Homayun Shajarian is his latest musical venture.

6 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 7 Copyright 2010 Simorq Inc. All rights reserved Technician © سیم www.simorq.org Sasan Azodi رغ [email protected] شاهنامه فردسی نه تنها یکی از برجسته ترین آثار ادب پارسی، که یکی از شاهکارهای ادبیات جهان است. حجم حماسه Iliad Odyssey Orchestra Management and communications ملی ما با بیش از پنجاه هزار بیت بیشتر از دو برابر حماسه های » « و» « هومر و بیست برابر حماسه آملانی Nibelungensage« Saeedeh Ghazi English Translator« است. [email protected] Aida Shahghasemi شاهنامه تنها از این نظر نیست که اثری استثنائی و بی نظیر به شمار می رود، اگر ما در آثار دیگر شاعران پارسی گوی با مفاهیمی [email protected] انتزاعی مانند عشق، حرمان، حسرت و اشتیاق روبروییم، فردوسی در کنار پرداخنت به این مفاهیم، دست به تصویرگری صحنه Coordinator in Iran های داستانهای اسطوره ای ایرانزمین می زند و خواننده را نه تنها به درون روح و روان قهرمانان خود و احساسات گوناگون بشری M. Rafiei Simorq foundation رهنمون می شود، که او را با خود به میانه میدان رزم و مجلس بزم می برد و با اعجاز سخنش این صحنه ها را زنده و جاندار برای [email protected] Correspondence خواننده ترسیم می کند. Mrs. Farzaneh Aryan Financial adviser [email protected] Saeed Pakrah سیمرغ، که داستان زادن و بالیدن زال و همچنین دلباختگی او بر رودابه دختر مهراب شاه کابلی است، یکی از زیباترین و از نظر [email protected] ساختاری پیچیده ترین بخشهای شاهنامه است. فردوسی در این داستان دغدغه های انسانی همچون بخت و سرنوشت و آز و ترس و بدنامی، و همچنین نیاز های انسان چون نامآوری و دلداگی و عشق را در زیر سقف یک داستان حماسی گردهم آورده است. Coordinator داستان سیمرغ گذشته از برجستگیهای زیبایی شناختی ادبی خود از یک موسیقی درونی نیز برخوردار است، عاملی که شاید حمید Soheila Fallahi متبسم را به خلق این اثر ترغیب کرده باشد. [email protected]

Responsible for sponsoring متبسم، که کارهایش تا کنون نیز بدلیل توانائیهای ویژه او در خلق آثار چند صدایی برای سازها و دستگاههای موسیقی ایرانی Dr. Sajjad Rahnama’i ویژه و متمایز بوده اند، اینبار با برگزیدن داستان سیمرغ و نوشنت یک اثر چندآوایی برای ارکستر سازهای ملی دست بکاری [email protected] بزرگ زده است، کاری که دشواریهای خلق اثر موسیقایی بر مبنای شاهنامه، و دشواری کمبود امکانات موسیقی سنتی ما در زمینه موسیقی چند صدایی را یکجا در خود دارد. Responsible for sponsoring in north America Navid Zarkari آهنگساز بايد در اين اثر هم دلدادگى رودابه بر زال را از زبان ساز بازگو کند، هم تاخت سواران بسوي البرزکوه را، هم آشيانه [email protected] سيمرغ را و هم دلشکستگى سام نرميان را. او بايد همچون شاهنامه خوانى کارکشته تک تک صحنه ها و يک يک احساسات Accountancy قهرمانان اين داستان را زنده و جاندار از دل سيم و چوب و پوست سازهايى بيرون بکشد، که هنرشان بيشتر بيان مفاهيم انتزاعى :Fahimeh Alavi Media شعر ايرانى است. حميد متبسم در اين اثر همچون يک پرده خوان، صحنه هاى شاهنامه را بر ديوار پندار شنونده اش ترسيم و [email protected] Photography Tahmineh Monzavi نگارگرى مى کند. Film Saied Ghazi Literature adviser Sound engineer Orod Anzabipoor Dr. Mohsen Banaie [email protected] Idea, Conception, Design and realization »سيمرغ« داستان زال را چنان بازآفرينى مى کند، که ديدن آن از راه شنيدن ميسر باشد.

84 www.simorq.orgwww.simorq.org www.simorq.orgwww.simorq.org 9 Ney Santur Pasha Hanjani Pouya Sarai Born in 1978, Tehran was born in 1983 in Tehran.He studied the Persian classical music at the conservatory of Tehran where he also studies at the University of Art for Ney Instructor: Abdonaghi Afsharnia his PHD. Music Composition Instructor: Teachers: Farhad Fakhredini, Graduated from Secondary Music School and Univer- Faramarz Payvar, Javad Bathaie, Pashang Kamkar, Hossein Alizadeh, sity of Art Daryoush Talaie.Pooya was nine times nominated for the best sanour Activities: solo in the Fajr festival and he owns more than 50 articles about music, Performance in numerous international festivals and collaboration with philosophy, philosophy of art and discovery of music. He teaches at the renowned musicians such as Hossein Alizadeh, Farhad Fakhredini, Majid University of Art and Architecture and the University of Media. Entezami, Babak Bayat, Fereidoun Shahbazian, and Kambiz Roshanravan. Discography: Soloist for Hossein Alizadeh’s second performance of “Ney Nava” with Geryehaye Bi Bahaneh, Khiyal Angiz, Rooy Dar Aftab. Ukraine’s Orchestra and collaboration with the Mastan Ensemble Activities: Musicianship in the following published albums: • cooperating with ensembles Mehr, Mah, Nahoft, Naghmeye • Hava Manam (Mahsa Vahdat) Kimiya, Afarinesh (under leading of Nader Mashayekhi) • Three Wise Men • cooperation with Dastan Ensemble in recording of “In the Name • Scent of Reunion with the vocal presence of Sam McClain of the Red Rose” , a work of Hamid Motebassem

10 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 11 Percussion Percussion Majid Vatanian Afshin Babaei Born in 1974, Tehran Born in Tehran, 1986

Instructors: Instructors: Behzad Forouhari, Abdonnaghi Afsharnia, Mansour Nariman, Sharif Lotfi, • Hossein Salek Houshang Kamkar, Mohammad Reza Darvishi, Siavash Beizayi, Darioush • Mohammad Tayebi Jebeli Safvat Graduated with a Masters degree from University of Art. • Arjang Kamkar • Alireza Pirouzinia Activities: • Pejman Hadadi Numerous concerts in Iran and other Asian and European countries with • Navid Afghah the following ensembles: Alongside learning the Tombak, he also learned the Tabla and Kuzeh from Publications: Pezhham Akhavas and Behnam Samani respectively. Three books on learning the Daf and a number of technical music books Activities: • Mowlana • Fakhteh • Naghmeye Performed in numerous concerts with Erfan, Sobhdam, Harekat-e-No, • Hour • Shahrzad Kimia and Mehr ensembles.

Percussion Sina Khoshk Bijari Born in 1977, Tehran

Percussion instructors: • Dariush Zargari • Bijan Kamkar • Pejman Hadadi • Navid Afghah • Pezhham Akhavas

Alongside learning the Tombak, he also learned Tabla and Kuzeh from Pezhham Akhavas and Behnam Samani respectively.

Barbat instructors: • Mohammad Firouzi and MohammadReza Ebrahimi

Activities: Composition studies, collaboration with the ensembles Eil, Khonya and Behna, composing works for theatrical perform- ances, and the winner of Best Theater Music award in 1999, Tehran.

12 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 13 Choir- Singer (Soprano) Choir- Singer (Tenor) Sayeh Sodeyfi Nima Khademlou was born in 1358 (1979) in Tehran. was born in 1980 in Rasht, Iran. He studied in the university of Art and She graduated as a composer from Tehran Music School of Arts in Architecture. 1376 (1997). She received her degree in Setar performance from Azad University (Tehran) in 1380 (2001). Afterwards she decided to extend Teachers: her education and obtained a Masters degree in Classical Music (Opera) Masoud Shoari, Dr. Mohammad Sarir , Kambiz Roshanravan.Nima entered from Yerevan Komitas State Musical conservatory (YSC), Armenia in Science and Technology University (Elm o Sanat) in 1999 where he studied 1387(2008). Chemical Engineering. Her succeeding teachers, include the masters: doctor Jolieta Nazarian, Aleeda Harotonian, doctor Kambiz Roshanravan, Deeply interested in Art, he gave up after 3 years and continued his stud- Hussein Alizadeh, Mohammadreza Darvishi and Masood Shoari. Perfor- ies in music. He was taught setar under supervision of Masoud Shoarias mance in numerous concerto recitals, musical festivals, inside and outside his professional instrument. Iran stand for her professional ability. Currently she is a lecturer in Elmi He was tutored Avaz by Mehdi Mobtagha . Karbordi University, Tehran Conservatory, and a number of other musical Institutes. Sayeh is an active member of Austria Embassy’s Educational Activities: Union as well as an active composer. • Cooperating with ensemble Miras (as a setar player)

Choir- Singer (Soprano) Choir- Singer (Tenor) Saeedeh Ghazi Mazyar Younesi Born in 1977, Mashhad, Saeedeh graduated with a BA in Persian Litera- ture in 2002. Born in 1983, Tehran. He studied piano performance and Setar (as a sec- ond instrument) at Tehran Azad University. He also studied singing and The same year she went on to the Iranian Academic Center for Education, conducting under the supervision of Mr. Vijay Uphadyaya in the Austrian Culture and Research, where she enrolled in music theory courses. While Culture Forum. He furthered his musical studies in composition with the studying at the ACECR, Saeedeh started learning Setar with Masoud instruction of Dr.Farid Omran and Dr.Kyavash Sahebnasagh. Ebrahimi and Piano with Alireza Farifteh. In 2004 she began cooperating as a chorister with ACECR Choral Group and taught music theory. Awards and certifications In 2007 she moved to Tehran and continued her studies in classical voice • Award nominee at Fajr International Festival in 2007, for com- with Shake Aghamal. She has also had the pleasure of attending a short position and harmonica performance. private course with Hasmik Hatsagortziyan at Yerevan Komitas State • Honored by the DIPLOMATIC LADIES GROUP for the conduction of Musical Conservatory in 2010. a charity concert with the Austrian Culture Forum Orchestra and Choir at the Russian Embassy in Tehran. Currently, she takes classical voice lessons from Sayeh Sodeyfi. Also, since • Honored in the School of Music and Psychology (academia), lead 2004 Saeedeh has been pursuing the traditional Persian vocal repertoire by Professor Omran, as an assistant and leader of choir. as her main interest under the supervision of Parissa. • Piano teaching certification with recognition of capability for successfully training kids and adults in piano performance (2008)

14 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 15 Choir- Singer (Soprano) Choir- Singer (Tenor) Gelareh Vazirizadeh Mahyar Tahmasbi was born in 1980 in Tehran,Iran. was born in 1985. He studied Setar under the supervision of Siamak She studied music in the Tehran school of the Arts and she pursued her Reyhani, Ata Jangook & Daryoush Pirniakan. education in Azad university . During that time she learnt playing Santur He entered the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran in 2003. under education of Susan Dehlavi and Pashang Kamkar, meanwhile she There he passed music courses taught by Khosro Molana, Daryoush Talayi, was tutored by Hossein Alizadeh, Arshad Tahmasbi and Mohamadreza Mohammadreza Darvishi, Alireza Mashayekhi, Shahin Farhat, Sasan Darvishi. Fatemi, and Houman Asadi. He studied the cello under the supervision of Majid Esmaili. He is a former member of Choir of the University of Tehran She started learning academical singing under education of Narbeh conducted by Loris Hovian. Mahyar has also taken some voice lessons Choolakiyan and then to follow her education she moved to Armenia and with Loris Hovian. He composed the soundtracks of 2 short films and over entered the Komitas state conservatory in Yerevan and graduated with 15 theater piecesand also performed in numerous concerts inside and MA in 2009. outside Iran. Hasmik Hatsagortziyan and Julieta Nazariyan were her masters in these Achievements: years. • Participation in international musicfestival of Poland in 2009 Gelareh Vazirizadeh has performed many concerts in Iran and Armenia. • Winner of the 1st prize award of Banou International Theater Festival in 2008, for composing the music of “Sodadokht”. • Winner of 1st prize award of Fadjr Music Festival in 2001 and 2002.

Choir- Singer (Soprano) Seda Sodeyfi Born in 1363 (1984) in Tehran.

She has studied with Malihe Saeedi at Tehran Music School of Art where she mastered the Persian Kanun. Having been graduated from Yerevan State Conservatory named after Komitas (YSC) with a Master degree in 2008 she also absorbed the beauty of Armenian folk music under the supervision of Kanun masters such as Professor Hasmik Leyloyan and Zovinar Hovanessian.

Being a professional soloist and having been awarded several prizes in music festivals, Seda has also played with many professional musicians in well-known orchestras , She has also taken vocal lessons with Sayeh Sodeyfi and has performed in several choirs.

16 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 17 Barbat Masoud Abedini, He was born in a music dedicated family where his father played Ney and Tanbour and is one of the greatest barbat (oud) makers in iran . He was taught playing barbat by Iranian grand master barbat (oud) player Mansour Nariman as well as Iranian classical music repertoire “Radif” under supervision of him for over years . He is familiar with playing several Iranian classical instruments in addi- tion to Barbat. Activities: • Teaching barbat(oud) at Tehran’s Conservatory of music . • Cooperating with Javan ensemble under leading of Moham- mad-Ali Kiani Nejad since 2005, performing many concerts in Tehran and Shiraz . • Performing investigative and representative concerts in Barbat (oud) instrument at Karaj’s cultural center . • Performing concerts with Ziryab (name of Iranian great musi- cian) jazz-flamenco ensemble and participating in composing and recording the ensemble’s first album which is to be released soon ,introducing new tastes of combination of jazz-flamenco music with Persian classical music as composer and oud solist . • Cooperation with ensembles Ava, Rameshgar, Mehr e Javid grand orchestra, Mizrabi (under supervision of Hos- sein Dehlavi), Afra & Saye. Barbat Marjan Ravandi was born in 1989 in Tehran, Iran.

she is an oud player and Her first teachers was master Mansour nariman and next Ali pajuheshgar. She graduated in girls music school of Tehran & now studying playing of Iranian musical instruments in music university of applied science and technology .

she is a member of the iran public orchestra with leading of master Farhad fakhreddini . afterward she joined master Hengame akhavan’s group called Bahar.

she had been teaching oud in music university of applied science and technology since 2006.

18 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 19 Barbat Bam-Tar Ali Pajooheshgar Pejman Zahedian Was born in 1977 in Mashhad. He was raised in an art loving family was born in 1986 in Tehran. He was raised in an art loving family, where where he began studying the tombak with his father. Later he studied he became attracted to the Iranian music. Barbat (Oud) at the conservatory of Tehran under supervision of Master He started learning music by playing the santour and the setar. Mansour Nariman, the Father of Iranian Oud.He also studied at the After immigrating to The Netherlands in 2000, he met Hamid Mote- University of Art for his M.A. bassem, one of the greatest masters and composers of Persian music. He began to study the Persian repertoire of music (Radif). Teachers: The instrument tar became one of his interests, and he added the tar to Farhad Fakhredini, Sharif Lotfi, Hossein Alizade, Kambiz RoshanRavan, his list of instruments. Hossein Dehlavi, Mostafa kamal Pourtorab, Mohamad Reza Darvishi,… In 2005, he won the Mondial Music festival in Maastricht(the Nether- lands), by a trio performance. (setar, guiter, and vocal) Composition teachers: He also played in many festivals such as, The Gaude Mater Poland, The Farhad Fakhredini, Sharif Lotfi and Hossein Alizade. Ali Pajooheshgar is Guitar Festival Switzerland, The Glatt & Verkehrt Festival Austria….... the leader and composer of Nariman Ensemble and did a lot of concerts inside and outside of Iran. He won the best Barbat solo in the Fajr Music Currently, he performs in ensembles Mezrab and PARDIS. Festival in 1995 and he collaborated with a group of musicians to publish and record the first book of the Iranian repertoire (Radif) for Barbat and also “42 Pieces for Barbat” with Master Nariman. He owns some articles about music too. He has taught at the conservatory of Tehran and University of Music for 7 years. He is the founder and manager of Nariman Music Institute in Tehran. He has played in National Music Orchestra and Televi- sion Orchestra too. Bam-Tar

He has recorded and performed with an impressive list of premier musicians. He also played in many festivals in China, Ramin Azimian United Arab Emirates, Canada, USA, Pakistan, India, Italy, Spain, France and Austria. Currently, he performs in ensembles was born in 1976 in Ahwas Iran. His Father whom played the violin Mastan and Nariman. Ali Pajooheshgar tours with Mastan ensemble in America, Canada and Europe, performing in major thought him the fundaments of playing the violin at the age of 5 years. concert halls. In the year of 1985 he immigrated to Germany. Later on he became a member of the ensemble Saba, whichwas founded by his Father Ali During their 2008 U.S. and Canada tour, the ensemble preformed at some of the most renowned stages, including Walt Azimian and Behzad Roushanpoor.In that ensemble he got the chance to Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Strathmore in Washington, D.C. and Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada. The 2009 U.S. play the Tar and felt inlove with it immediately and took a few lessons by He has also performed at some distinguished concert halls such as Royce Hall, Palace of Fine Art Theater, Cadillac Palace MajidDerachshani. Theater, McFarlin Memorial Auditorium, Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center, York College Performing Arts Center, The Arena at Gwinnett Center and George R. Brown Convention Center. In the year of 1995 he went to the U.S to study computerscience and graduated in year 2001.Afterwards he returned to Germany and started Activities: takinglessons at a higher level by Composer, Tar and Setar virtuesHamid • cooperating with ensembles Saba, Motebassem, by whom he has been studding therepertoire of traditional • Monazami Persian music “radif “ and Composition. • Dalahoo For the last few years he has been involved in three Ensemblesnamed, • Davoud Azad Mezrab and Pardis which are founded ByHamid Motebassem, where he • Mastan playes the Tar and Bamtar. • Nariman …

20 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 21 Bam-Tar Bam-Tar Ava Ayoubi Jalal Amirpoorsaeid was born in 1978, in Tehran and plays the Tar, Bam-Tar, and Piano. She was born in 1972 in kerman. studied at Tehran Music Academy and earned her B.A. in Music University. He play Tar, Setar, Daf and Clarinet. He studied the B.A in Handicraft , M.A Teachers include: in research in traditional arts in Tehran Soore University. • Hossein Alizadeh • Behrooz Hematei Teachers: • Farhaad Fakhredini Houshang zarif- Bijan kamkar- Hoseyn Dehlavi- Farhaad fakhredini - • Mohammadreza Darvishi auob dejakam jalal was one times nominated for the best clarinet solo in • Dariush Talaee the students festival and he was ten times participated in the fajr festival. • Dariush pirniyakan He participated in concerts in Germany- Swiss(buskersbern Festival)- Belgium- Portugal. she was a ten time returning participant of the Fajr Music Festival. She has also been an active musicians in concerts held in Germany, Switzer- Discography: land (Buskersbern Festival), Belgium, France, China, Kuwait, and Abu Rooy Dar Aftab, Shiraz film Music, Damavand project,… Dhabi. Some other activities include cooperation with the following ensembles: Some Activities: Iranian National Orchestra, Dehlavi Mezrabi Orchestra, Naghmeye Kimiya, Khonya, Golbang, and Khojaste. She is also an • cooperating with ensembles: Iranian National orchestra active musician for Iran’s National TV Broadcasting. • Tehran symphony orchestra , Dehlavi Mezrabi orchestra, Naghmeye Kimiya, Afarinesh (under leading of Nader Mashayekhi) ,Khonya, Golbang, Eal ensemble, leader- ship and coordinator of Mahan Percussion ensemble • Iran Radio music expert Tar (Bass) Targol Khaligh

was born in 1988, in Tehran. She plays the Tar, which she began learning in 1999. Upon graduating from the Girls Music School and wanting to further extend her training, she worked with instructors such as: • Houshang Zarif • Mahmoud Behroz She is currently studying music and Tar performance at University of Musicin Tehran. She has been a participant in numerous concerts inside andoutside Iran and has cooperated with ensembles, such as Mahtab and Mehr,in recording several albums.

22 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 23 Tar Tar Azad Mirzapour Pooyan Biglar Born in Saghez 1979 Born in 1982 Hamedan Instructors: He started his musical endeavors in 1989, under the supervision of : • His father, Rasoul Mirzapour DARYOUSH TALAYI , REZA VOHDANI, DARYOUSH ZARGARi , ARSHAD TAH- • Tioush Bahrami MASBI , and MOHAMMAD REZA LOTFI. • Reza Vahdani He graduated from ART UNIVERSITY with a Masters of Arts. • Arshad Tahmasbi He has performed in several concerts with DARYOUSH TALAYI and has • Hossein Alizadeh collaborated with SHEYSADE ensemble under the supervision of MOHAM- • Graduated from Secondary Music School and University MAD REZA LOTFI for the performance of pieces such as “SEPIDEH” and of Fine Arts “VATANAM IRAN”. He has taught at: Music Industrial school , Azad University and a number Activities: of other music institutes. • Performances in France, Spain, and numerous other interna- tional festivals His albums currently in the process of publishing are: • Cooperation with renowned musicians such as Alireza Eftekhari, • Solo Tar playing collection. Homayoun Shajarian, Fereidoun Shahbazian, Majid Entezami, • Khaneye gharib with singing of VAHID TAJ. and Abbas Khoshdel • Sooge bahar with singing of ALIREZA SHAHMOHAMMADI. • Collaboration in recording and performing numerous albums with the named musicians, along with the Mastan Ensemble and Parvaz e Homay in international festivals. • Instructor for Tar, Setar, and Barbat

Musicianship in the following published albums: • Shokuhe Eshgh • Raz Gosha • Ah e Majnoun • Aziz e Del • Zale Jhina • Goshayesh • Ba Setareh

24 www.simorq.org 25 Tar Tar Sahar Sakhaei Padideh Ahrar Nejad was born in 1986, Tehran. Born in 1977, Tehran

Sahar has always had a strong liking for literature and music. She initiated Instructors: her musical training with the piano in 1998, but it was her passion for Behrouz Hemmati, Hossein Alizadeh, Houshang Zarif She graduated from traditional Iranian music which opened new horizons for her. Secondary Music School and is a holder of Bachelors degree in Music from She then continued her musical training by learning Tar and started taking University of Art. her very first steps as a professional musician. Since then, she has dedi- cated most of her time to working with numerous well-known masters Activities: such as Behrouz Hemmati, Hooshang Zarif, Mohhamad Reza Lotfi, Amir Member of National Orchestra led by Farhad Fakhreddini and performer Eslami, Pooyan Biglar, Mohamad reza Darvishi, and Arshad tahmasebi. in concerts held in Switzerland, Kuwait, and China. Sahar holds a B.A in Persian Literature from Allame Tabatabaii University in Tehran. Through her education she has pursued her interest in theoreti- Member of the following female orchestras for Iran’s cal aspects of art by writing and publishing articles on philosophy of art Television Broadcasting: and contemporary music. Naghmeye Kimiya ,Tarannome Jan, Khojaste, Hamnavazan e Mehr, She has performed in numerous concerts both in and out of Iran and has Mehr Ava worked with Noora ensemble and nava ensemble. Performed in Germany and Austria with “Naghmeye Kimiya” Orchestra under the supervision of Mohammad Haghighifard She has cooperated in a number of different recordings: Earned first place in Music Festival and second place in University’s Festival. • KHANEE GHARIB sung by Vahid Taaj • SOROODE SOOG with Alireza Shah Mohammadie Published Albums: cooperation. • One of the soloists in the Album “Honarmandan e Javan”, • under the supervision of Hossein Alizadeh

26 27 Tar Siavash Borhani Born in 1972 in a musical family in Tehran.

His first music teachers were his father and uncle who were students of the grand master Ali Akbar Khan Shahnazi. Siavash completed his study of music with two renowned masters of Persian classical music Hushang Zarif and Farhad Fakhredini. Siavash has cooperated with many different music ensembles including the Dehlavi Orchestra, Neyestan, Ahang, Baran, and many others. He has vastly performed in Iran and abroad and has participated in many international music festivals such as Sufi Ruhaniyat and the Magham Festival in which his band gained the second ranking among twenty five participants. Also, he has cooperated with various musicians for recording different music albums.

Siavash taught Persian classical music for more than three years at Farhang Radio. He also teaches music privately.

Tar Milad Alipour 1987, Bachelor of Music

He was born in an artistic family and began his musical practices under the supervision of his father, Master Faraj Alipour. Milad studied percussion instruments in order to better understand rhythm and continued to learn the craft of Tombak making with Mah- moud Farahmand. In 2001, he entered the conservatory and chose Tar as his main instru- ment. He has worked with masters such as Bahram Sa’ed, Mansour Sinki, Darious Pirniakan, and Mohsen Nafar. From the beginning he has had the honor of being the pupil to Azad Mirzapour, with whom he has played along the most. In 2010, he received his Bachelor’s degree in music while in the same year, he founded the Faghan ensemble, which earned itself second ranking in the Iranian Orchestral section of the Fajr Music Festival. The ensemble was also chosen as a top group in the Javan Festival.

28 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 29 30 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 31 Kamancheh Kamancheh Sina Jahanabadi Sina Alam Born in 1975, Tehran Kamancheh Instructors: He was born in Tehran in 1989.he began iranian violin with Mr.hooman Davoud Ganjeyi, Aliakbar Shekarchi, Kamran Darougheh, Ardeshir Kam- shams in 1998. kar, Graduated from Secondary Music School and University of Art. Activities: After learning primary courses , He studied Iranian Radif of Master Ali Cooperation with Ava, Shahnaz, Mowlavi, Bahar, Vaziri ensembles and Tajvidi with Behrang Azadeh . For scientific studding of music he joined to renowned vocalists such as MohammadReza Shajarian, Shahram Nazeri, “ Seda va sima” art school in 2000 and choosed kamanche as his specific Hengameh Akhavan, Iraj Bastami, and Homayoun Shajarian Collabora- musical instrument. tion in recording and performing numerous albums with the named musicians, along with the Mastan Ensemble and Parvaz e Homay in Then continued kamanche with master Hadi Arazm, and has been play- international festivals. ing it with master Hadi Montazeri for advance course and radif. He had finished art school in 2005 and joined to music university in 2006. He is Musicianship in the following published albums: working for “Seda va sima” now . • Nasim e Vasl, Ba Setareha, Showghe Dust Rendan e Mast • Rendan e Mast, Molaghat ba Duzakhian • In che Jahanist Art activities: • Cooperate with public art school orchestra and traditional art school • Cooperate with Ershad orchestra • Cooperate with Tiam orchestra with leading of master Montazeri • Cooperate with mahour institute since 2006. • Leading Nedaie hatef traditional orchestra since 2006. • Top player in Iranian art schools festival. • Second grade at playing kamanche in Tehran institutes festival.

Studding with some Iranian music masters like: • Mostafa Kamal Pourtorab • Esmaieel Tehrani • Mohsen Nafar • dr. Azade Far • Mohamad Esmaieeli • Sahakian • Parichehr Khaje …

32 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 33 Kamancheh Behnoosh Behnamnia was born in 1988 in Tehran, and started playing the Violin in 1997.

Teachers include: Asadollah Malek, Siavash Zendegani, Masoud Hassankhani She began learning the Kamancheh in 2003. Saied Farajpouri, Ardeshir Kamkar, Darvishraza Monazzami, Daryuosh Talaie, Mohammadreza Lotfi. Currently, she is studying Persian classical Music in College of Fine Arts Te- hran University. She received top ranking (first place) in 6th Javan Musical Festival in 2008 for playing Kamancheh.

Activities: • The Grand Youth Orchestra (Orchestre Bozorge Javanan) • Fakhfteh • Sheyda (Under Leading of Mohammadreza Lotfi) • She has also been playing in Television Orchestra since 2009.

Kamancheh Alireza Daryaei was born in 1988, in Tehran, Iran.

He entered the world of music at the age of eleven while taking up the violin as his first instrument. He appeared to be a brilliant learner in Master Shamlu Karband classes where he was taught a major section of the Radif.

In 2005, he took part in Kamancheh classes held by Master Ardeshir Kam- kar with whom he further advanced his Radif knowledge. 2003 marked the beginning of his professional activities. He has had the valuable op- portunity of playing music with different ensembles including Khorshid, Abidar, and Mehr.

Although his performance background is not too prolonged, his history is greatly complemented with activities in the fields of music recording, film music, and theatre music.

34 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 35 Kamancheh Soheil Sadeghi Born in 1982, Tehran

Kamancheh Instructor: Davoud Ganjeyi Other Music Instructors: Mohammad Ali Kianinejad and study of general music concepts under the supervision of Mohammadreza Darvishi, Sharif Lotfi, and Hamidreza Dibazar.

Awards: Winner of numerous Best Performance awards in domestic festivals of Iran.

Activities: Ongoing member of the Center for Music Preservation and Research Cooperation with different ensembles, collaboration with renowned masters of Persian music.

Published albums: Man Tarabam, Bidar Delan, Parse dar Ayeneh, In Gushe ta un Gushe, Sugvaran e Khamush Participation in Institute du Monde Arab Music Festival, and other music festivals in France, Morocco, Andeles, and Al Jazeera. Also participated in making possible the publication of Gholamhossein Bigchekhani’s collection.

Kamancheh Moslem Alipour Born in 1982, Khorramabad

Instructors: His father, Faraj Alipour Activities: • Collaboration with Iran’s Television Orchestra • Concerts in Europe and neighboring countries of Iran • Concert on UNESCO’s anniversary in France • Member of Tal ensemble with the leadership of Faraj Alipour Albums: • “Matn e Dotar” • “Aziz e Del” • “Mirase Eshgh” composed by Faraj Alipour • “Music of Gilan” and “Talesh” Production • “Ahe Majnoun” • “Yar Yar”

36 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 37 Gheychak Reza Abaee was born in 1971 in Tehran. He was raised in a musical family and studied at the conservatory of Tehran for the Persian Kamanche (spikedfiddle).

Teachers: Davoud Gandjeie, Ardeshir Kamka, Saeed Farajpouri Composition teachers: Dr. Hassan Riyahi, Farhad Farkhredini, Shahin Farhat, Dr. Mohammad Sarir.

He is a member of “Payvar” and “Aref” ensembles. Reza Abaee is the leader and Composer of the Rumi Ensemble and the composer of Avizhe Ensemble. Abaee did a lot of concerts inside and outside of Iran and he is the winner of The Golden Sun in Mehr festival for one of his Albums.

In 2009 he cooperated as a guest musician with the recording of “In the Name of the Red Rose” a work of Hamid Motebassem and Jostojou (search) of Mamak Khadem.

Gheychak Shima Shahmohammadi. Born in Tehran 1983.

Education: 2001-2006 Bachelor of Art in Iranian Instrument Performance from Art University, Faculty of music. 2007-2009 Master of Art in Iranian Instrument Performance from Art University, Faculty of music.

Performances: Cooperation with several musical bands in recording albums, sound tracks and performing concerts both in Iran and abroad, such as Khorsid ensemble, Mahtab ensemble, Neyestan ensemble, Chargan quartet… . • A member of Khorshid ensemble and have performed in several concerts since 2005. • A member of Mahtab ensemble since 2006. • A member of Chargan quartet since 2007.

Some Albums she has played in: The season of rain, Asemane, Khorshid ensemble2 (boudano soroudan) all composed by M. Derakhshani

38 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 39 Gheychak -Bass Gheychak Bita Ghasemi Samaneh Barouti was born in 1977, in Tehran. She graduated with a degree in music from Born in 1983 (1365=1986) in Qazvin the University of Tehran , Department of Fine Arts. Her teachers were AliAkbar Shekarchi (kamancheh), and Samimi (Violin). Professional musicianship began in 2004-05 with the Violin. Started to She has alsodecided to work on the newly evolved version of the Persian learn the Alto Gheychak in 2007-08. fiddle, BassGeychak, which is her assigned instrument in the Simorq project. She hasalso done some recordings with the Bass Geychak. She Currently pursuing music academically at the (Professional Scientific has performed in many concerts alongside some of the most eminent University) masters and ensembles such as Bahar ensemble - with Mrs. Hengameh Now active on music branch in scientific professional university. Akhavan. Other ensembles include Tolu, Khonia , Saye, Rozaneh, Avaye Dust, Tazarv. Her rich recording background encompasses playing Kaman- Teachers: cheh in “bigah shod”, a cooperation with Rozaneh ensmble and Siamak • Shahram Gholampour (Iranian Violin) Aghaei. • Mohsen Ebadi & Shamim Movvahed (Classic Violin) Bita has worked as a musician and composer on several • Reza Abaee (gheychak Alto) international music • ADMF festivals in Arabian countries with Naseer Shamma • festival La musica Dei Cieli in Italy • ILLA association in Geneve • Teatre Municipal de Banyoles festivals in Spain • Planet Aurira festival in France

40 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 41 Gheychak Mohammad Mahdi Basiratmanesh Born in tehran 1987

Education: • Learning violin:homayoun rahimian(2006) • Learning violin(persian style):behrang azadeh(2007) • Learning cello:mohsen tooyserkani(2008) • Bachelor of architecture engineering • Playing ghaychak bam since 2010)

Performances: • A member of khorshid ensemble • A member of chang ensemble

42 www.simorq.org www.simorq.org 43