The “Simorq” project is an ambitious initiative designed to acquaint

The “Simorq” project is an ambitious initiative designed to
acquaint the public with Iran’s historical culture, and to
transcend boundaries.
A legendary supernatural bird in Persian literature
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
epic, Nibelungensage. The Shahnameh is indeed unequalled as a literary work.
And if we look at other Persian poets who have explored the themes of love, despair, envy and zeal, we find that while Ferdowsi deals with the same themes, he also unveils the science of Iranian epic history and legends and leads the reader deep
into the spirit of his characters, probing a vast array of human feeling. He carries the reader with him to the battlefields and
the feasts. He paints these scenes masterfully, giving the stories vibrant, tangible expression for his readers. The difficulty of
using musical narration to portray Ferdowsi’s epic stories lies herein.
Simorq, the story of the birth and growing up of Zaal and his love for Roodabeh, the daughter of King Mehrab of Kabal, is
one of the most beautiful and, in structural terms, complete facets of the Shahnameh.
In this story, Ferdowsi has interwoven human preoccupations with luck, fate and destiny, greed, fear and disgrace with the
need and desire for fame and love, under the canopy of the epic story. The story of Simorq, apart from its literary beauty, is
also informed by an inner music.
Eine musikalische Interpretation des iranischen
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.
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Oiseau fabuleux de la légende iranienne
„Schahname“
Le Livre des rois (Shâhnâmeh) de Ferdowsi- poète épique persan de la fin du Xème siècle- n’est pas seulement le plus
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
même souffle épique, contient deux fois plus de distiques que l’épopée d’Homère, l’Iliade et l’ Odyssée, et vingt fois plus
que l’épopée allemande Nibelungen.
Parallèlement aux richesses du nombre de distiques et de notions comme l’amour, la nostalgie, l’enthousiasme, le Shâhnâmeh illustre des scènes des contes mythiques de l’Iran antique et ramène le lecteur au coeur de l’histoire de ses héros, de
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
vivante, alors la version musicale rencontre des difficultés.
L’orchestration dans la musique iranienne ne date pas de très longtemps et les oeuvres d’orchestration sont très rares.
Pour créer une oeuvre d’après un texte tel que le Shâhnâmeh, le musicien a besoin d’un ensemble de différents thèmes et
mélodies et d’une polyphonie de plusieurs airs. Ce sont justement ces complications qui ont empêché les musiciens iraniens
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
épique, des thèmes comme la destinée, la peur, la malédiction et surtout l’amour.
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‫سیمرغ‬
‫شاهنامه فردسی نه تنها یکی از برجسته ترین آثار ادب پارسی‪ ،‬که یکی از شاهکارهای ادبیات جهان است‪ .‬حجم حماسه‬
‫ملی ما با بیش از پنجاه هزار بیت بیشتر از دو برابر حماسه های «‪ »Odyssey‬و«‪ »Iliad‬هومر و بیست برابر حماسه آملانی‬
‫«‪ »Nibelungensage‬است‪.‬‬
‫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
‫انتزاعی مانند عشق‪ ،‬حرمان‪ ،‬حسرت و اشتیاق روبروییم‪ ،‬فردوسی در کنار پرداخنت به این مفاهیم‪ ،‬دست به تصویرگری صحنه‬
‫های داستانهای اسطوره ای ایرانزمین می زند و خواننده را نه تنها به درون روح و روان قهرمانان خود و احساسات گوناگون بشری‬
‫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
‫خواننده ترسیم می کند‪.‬‬
‫سیمرغ‪ ،‬که داستان زادن و بالیدن زال و همچنین دلباختگی او بر رودابه دختر مهراب شاه کابلی است‪ ،‬یکی از زیباترین و از نظر‬
‫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.‬‬
‫داستان سیمرغ گذشته از برجستگیهای زیبایی شناختی ادبی خود از یک موسیقی درونی نیز برخوردار است‪ ،‬عاملی که شاید حمید‬
‫متبسم را به خلق این اثر ترغیب کرده باشد‪.‬‬
‫متبسم‪ ،‬که کارهایش تا کنون نیز بدلیل توانائیهای ویژه او در خلق آثار چند صدایی برای سازها و دستگاههای موسیقی ایرانی‬
‫ویژه و متمایز بوده اند‪ ،‬اینبار با برگزیدن داستان سیمرغ و نوشنت یک اثر چندآوایی برای ارکستر سازهای ملی دست بکاری‬
‫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.‬‬
‫آهنگساز بايد در اين اثر هم دلدادگى رودابه بر زال را از زبان ساز بازگو کند‪ ،‬هم تاخت سواران بسوي البرزکوه را‪ ،‬هم آشيانه‬
‫سيمرغ را و هم دلشکستگى سام نرميان را‪ .‬او بايد همچون شاهنامهخوانى کارکشته تک تک صحنه ها و يک يک احساسات‬
‫قهرمانان اين داستان را زنده و جاندار از دل سيم و چوب و پوست سازهايى بيرون بکشد‪ ،‬که هنرشان بيشتر بيان مفاهيم انتزاعى‬
‫شعر ايرانى است‪ .‬حميد متبسم در اين اثر همچون يک پرده خوان‪ ،‬صحنه هاى شاهنامه را بر ديوار پندار شنونده اش ترسيم و‬
‫نگارگرى مى کند‪.‬‬
‫«سيمرغ» داستان زال را چنان بازآفرينى مى کند‪ ،‬که ديدن آن از راه شنيدن ميسر باشد‪.‬‬
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© Copyright 2010 Simorq Inc. All rights reserved
www.simorq.org
Manager of orchestra
Literature adviser
Dr. Mohsen Banaie
banaie@simorq.org
Technician
Behrang Tonekaboni
tonekaboni@simorq.org
Orchestra Coordination and communications
Saeedeh Ghazi
ghazi@simorq.org
Sasan Azodi
azodi@simorq.org
English Translator
Aida Shahghasemi
aida@simorq.org
Coordinator in Iran
M. Rafiei
m.rafiei@simorq.org
Simorq foundation
Correspondence
Mrs. Farzaneh Aryan
foundation@simorq.org
Financial adviser
Saeed Pakrah
pakrah@simorq.org
Coordinator
Soheila Fallahi
fallahi@simorq.org
Responsible for sponsoring
Dr. Sajjad Rahnama’i
rahnamai@simorq.org
Responsible for sponsoring in north America
Navid Zarkari
navid.z@simorq.org
Accountancy
Fahimeh Alavi
f.alavi@telfort.nl
Media:
Photography Tahmineh Monzavi
Film Saied Ghazi
Sound engineer Orod Anzabipoor
Idea, Conception, Design and realization
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Hamid Motebassem
Composer and Tar & Setar Player
Hamid Motebassem was born in 1958 in Mashad, Iran.
He was raised in a musical family, where his brother was a violinist and
his first teacher was his father, Ali Motebassem who played the Tar. His
subsequent teachers included the masters Habiballah Salehi, Zeydallah
Toloie, Houshang Zarif, Hossein Alizadeh and Mohammad Reza Lotfi.
Motebassem studied in the Tehran School of Art and the Conservatory of
Persian Music. He was a member of the Chavosh Cultural Center where he
taught music. One of the original members of Aref Ensemble, he founded
Dastan Ensemble as well as Ensemble Chakavak, Mezrab & Pardis upon
immigration to Germany in 1986. Hamid Motebassem is the founder of
the Society of Tar and Setar and has since 1994 organized annual seminars dedicated to the two instruments.
He has performed on numerous albums of contemporary Iranian composers as well as on all the released works of Dastan Ensemble since 1992.
Discography:
• Bamdad
• The Scent of Norooz
• The Song of the Sea
• Saz-e No, Avaz-e No
• Dastan Trio
• Dastan Duet
• Hanaie
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• Gol-e Behesht
• Maah Aroos
• LoolianQeijak-e Koli
• Be Nam-e Gol-e Sorkh
• Shurideh (Winner of the title “Musical Shock“ in the music
journal, Le Monde and the recipient of the 2003 Best Music
of the Year Award from the French Ministry of Culture.)
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Homayoun Shajarian
Singer (Soloist)
is a Persian classical music vocalist, as well as a Tombak and Kamancheh
player. He was born (21 May 1975) in Tehran in a music-dedicated family.
He is the son of Mohammad Reza Shajarian, who is in turn the grand
master vocalist of traditional Persian music.
He began studying knowledge of technique and rhythm under
supervision of Nasser Farhangfar, master of Tombak, at the age of five.
Afterwards, he also continued learning Tombak under Jamshid Mohebbi’s
supervision.
He commenced learning Persian traditional vocal Avaz under father’s supervision and gained knowledge of Avaz techniques and voice-producing.
Simultaneously, he attended Tehran Conservatory of Music and chose
Kamancheh as his professional instrument as well as being tutored by
Ardeshir Kamkar. He joined Ava Music Ensemble in 1991. He accompanied
father, Hossein Alizadeh and Keyhan Kalhor in concerts of Ava Music
Ensemble, playing Tombak.
Discography:
• Nasim-e Wasl
• Na-shakiba
• Showgh-e doest
• Naghsh-e khyal
• Khorshid-e Arezou
• Qeijak-e Koli
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Ney
Pasha Hanjani
Born in 1978, Tehran
Ney Instructor: Abdonaghi Afsharnia
Music Composition Instructor:
Farhad Fakhredini, Graduated from Secondary Music School and University of Art
Activities:
Performance in numerous international festivals and collaboration with
renowned musicians such as Hossein Alizadeh, Farhad Fakhredini, Majid
Entezami, Babak Bayat, Fereidoun Shahbazian, and Kambiz Roshanravan.
Soloist for Hossein Alizadeh’s second performance of “Ney Nava” with
Ukraine’s Orchestra and collaboration with the Mastan Ensemble
Musicianship in the following published albums:
• Hava Manam (Mahsa Vahdat)
• Three Wise Men
• Scent of Reunion with the vocal presence of Sam McClain
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Santur
Pouya Sarai
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
his PHD.
Teachers:
Faramarz Payvar, Javad Bathaie, Pashang Kamkar, Hossein Alizadeh,
Daryoush Talaie.Pooya was nine times nominated for the best sanour
solo in the Fajr festival and he owns more than 50 articles about music,
philosophy, philosophy of art and discovery of music. He teaches at the
University of Art and Architecture and the University of Media.
Discography:
Geryehaye Bi Bahaneh, Khiyal Angiz, Rooy Dar Aftab.
Activities:
• cooperating with ensembles Mehr, Mah, Nahoft, Naghmeye
Kimiya, Afarinesh (under leading of Nader Mashayekhi)
• cooperation with Dastan Ensemble in recording of “In the Name
of the Red Rose” , a work of Hamid Motebassem
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Percussion
Majid Vatanian
Born in 1974, Tehran
Instructors:
Behzad Forouhari, Abdonnaghi Afsharnia, Mansour Nariman, Sharif Lotfi,
Houshang Kamkar, Mohammad Reza Darvishi, Siavash Beizayi, Darioush
Safvat Graduated with a Masters degree from University of Art.
Activities:
Numerous concerts in Iran and other Asian and European countries with
the following ensembles:
Publications:
Three books on learning the Daf and a number of technical music books
• Mowlana
• Hour
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• Fakhteh
• Shahrzad
• Naghmeye
Kimia
Percussion
Afshin Babaei
Born in Tehran, 1986
Instructors:
• Hossein Salek
• Mohammad Tayebi Jebeli
• Arjang Kamkar
• Alireza Pirouzinia
• Pejman Hadadi
• Navid Afghah
Alongside learning the Tombak, he also learned the Tabla and Kuzeh from
Pezhham Akhavas and Behnam Samani respectively.
Activities:
Performed in numerous concerts with Erfan, Sobhdam, Harekat-e-No,
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 performances, and the winner of Best Theater Music award in 1999, Tehran.
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Choir- Singer (Tenor)
Loris Hovian
was born in Abadan in 1973.
In 1998 he moved to Armenia where he studied conducting with the
greatest maestros such as Yuri Davtyan in 2004 he graduated from Yerevan State Conservatory and was awarded the PhD in Opera & Symphonic
Conducting.
He, along with Sialk chamber orchestra, won the first prize in 23rd “Fajr”
International music festival in 2007.
He is now Principal Conductor of the IRIBU (Islamic Republic of Iran’s
Broadcast University) Symphony Orchestra.
From 1999 on, he started accompanying father also on vocals. He has
performed in several famous festivals including Fez Festival (Morocco),
Kölner Philharmonie, New York World Music Institute and Paris Theatre.
Choir- Singer (Tenor)
Nima Khademlou
was born in 1980 in Rasht, Iran. He studied in the university of Art and
Architecture.
Teachers:
Masoud Shoari, Dr. Mohammad Sarir , Kambiz Roshanravan.Nima
entered Science and Technology University (Elm o Sanat) in 1999 where
he studied Chemical Engineering.
Deeply interested in Art, he gave up after 3 years and continued his studies in music. He was taught setar under supervision of Masoud Shoarias
his professional instrument.
He was tutored Avaz by Mehdi Mobtagha .
Activities:
• Cooperating with ensemble Miras (as a setar player)
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Choir- Singer (Soprano)
Sayeh Sodeyfi
was born in 1358 (1979) in Tehran.
She graduated as a composer from Tehran Music School of Arts in
1376 (1997). She received her degree in Setar performance from Azad
University (Tehran) in 1380 (2001). Afterwards she decided to extend
her education and obtained a Masters degree in Classical Music (Opera)
from Yerevan Komitas State Musical conservatory (YSC), Armenia in
1387(2008).
Her succeeding teachers, include the masters:
doctor Jolieta Nazarian, Aleeda Harotonian, doctor Kambiz Roshanravan,
Hussein Alizadeh, Mohammadreza Darvishi and Masood Shoari. Performance in numerous concerto recitals, musical festivals, inside and outside
Iran stand for her professional ability. Currently she is a lecturer in Elmi
Karbordi University, Tehran Conservatory, and a number of other musical
Institutes. Sayeh is an active member of Austria Embassy’s Educational
Union as well as an active composer.
Choir- Singer (Soprano)
Saeedeh Ghazi
Born in 1977, Mashhad, Saeedeh graduated with a BA in Persian Literature in 2002.
The same year she went on to the Iranian Academic Center for Education,
Culture and Research, where she enrolled in music theory courses. While
studying at the ACECR, Saeedeh started learning Setar with Masoud
Ebrahimi and Piano with Alireza Farifteh. In 2004 she began cooperating
as a chorister with ACECR Choral Group and taught music theory.
In 2007 she moved to Tehran and continued her studies in classical voice
with Shake Aghamal. She has also had the pleasure of attending a short
private course with Hasmik Hatsagortziyan at Yerevan Komitas State
Musical Conservatory in 2010.
Currently, she takes classical voice lessons from Sayeh Sodeyfi. Also, since
2004 Saeedeh has been pursuing the traditional Persian vocal repertoire
as her main interest under the supervision of Parissa.
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Choir- Singer (Tenor)
Mazyar Younesi
Born in 1983, Tehran. He studied piano performance and Setar (as a second instrument) at Tehran Azad University. He also studied singing and
conducting under the supervision of Mr. Vijay Uphadyaya in the Austrian
Culture Forum. He furthered his musical studies in composition with the
instruction of Dr.Farid Omran and Dr.Kyavash Sahebnasagh.
Awards and certifications
• Award nominee at Fajr International Festival in 2007, for composition and harmonica performance.
• Honored by the DIPLOMATIC LADIES GROUP for the conduction of
a charity concert with the Austrian Culture Forum Orchestra and
Choir at the Russian Embassy in Tehran.
• Honored in the School of Music and Psychology (academia), lead
by Professor Omran, as an assistant and leader of choir.
• Piano teaching certification with recognition of capability for
successfully training kids and adults in piano performance
(2008)
Choir- Singer (Tenor)
Mahyar Tahmasbi
was born in 1985. He studied Setar under the supervision of Siamak
Reyhani, Ata Jangook & Daryoush Pirniakan.
He entered the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran in 2003.
There he passed music courses taught by Khosro Molana, Daryoush Talayi,
Mohammadreza Darvishi, Alireza Mashayekhi, Shahin Farhat, Sasan
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
conducted by Loris Hovian. Mahyar has also taken some voice lessons
with Loris Hovian. He composed the soundtracks of 2 short films and over
15 theater piecesand also performed in numerous concerts inside and
outside Iran.
Achievements:
• Participation in international musicfestival of Poland in 2009
• 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.
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Choir- Singer (Soprano)
Gelareh Vazirizadeh
was born in 1980 in Tehran,Iran.
She studied music in the Tehran school of the Arts and she pursued her
education in Azad university . During that time she learnt playing Santur
under education of Susan Dehlavi and Pashang Kamkar, meanwhile she
was tutored by Hossein Alizadeh, Arshad Tahmasbi and Mohamadreza
Darvishi.
She started learning academical singing under education of Narbeh
Choolakiyan and then to follow her education she moved to Armenia and
entered the Komitas state conservatory in Yerevan and graduated with
MA in 2009.
Hasmik Hatsagortziyan and Julieta Nazariyan were her masters in these
years.
Gelareh Vazirizadeh has performed many concerts in Iran and Armenia.
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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 addition to Barbat.
Activities:
• Teaching barbat(oud) at Tehran’s Conservatory of music .
• Cooperating with Javan ensemble under leading of Mohammad-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 musician) 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 Hossein 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.
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Barbat
Ali Pajooheshgar
Was born in 1977 in Mashhad. He was raised in an art loving family
where he began studying the tombak with his father. Later he studied
Barbat (Oud) at the conservatory of Tehran under supervision of Master
Mansour Nariman, the Father of Iranian Oud.He also studied at the
University of Art for his M.A.
Teachers:
Farhad Fakhredini, Sharif Lotfi, Hossein Alizade, Kambiz RoshanRavan,
Hossein Dehlavi, Mostafa kamal Pourtorab, Mohamad Reza Darvishi,…
Composition teachers:
Farhad Fakhredini, Sharif Lotfi and Hossein Alizade. Ali Pajooheshgar is
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
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 Television Orchestra too.
He has recorded and performed with an impressive list of premier musicians. He also played in many festivals in China,
United Arab Emirates, Canada, USA, Pakistan, India, Italy, Spain, France and Austria. Currently, he performs in ensembles
Mastan and Nariman. Ali Pajooheshgar tours with Mastan ensemble in America, Canada and Europe, performing in major
concert halls.
During their 2008 U.S. and Canada tour, the ensemble preformed at some of the most renowned stages, including Walt
Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Strathmore in Washington, D.C. and Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada. The 2009 U.S.
He has also performed at some distinguished concert halls such as Royce Hall, Palace of Fine Art Theater, Cadillac Palace
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.
Activities:
• cooperating with ensembles Saba,
• Monazami
• Dalahoo
• Davoud Azad
• Mastan
• Nariman …
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Bam-Tar
Pejman Zahedian
was born in 1986 in Tehran. He was raised in an art loving family, where
he became attracted to the Iranian music.
He started learning music by playing the santour and the setar.
After immigrating to The Netherlands in 2000, he met Hamid Motebassem, one of the greatest masters and composers of Persian music. He
began to study the Persian repertoire of music (Radif).
The instrument tar became one of his interests, and he added the tar to
his list of instruments.
In 2005, he won the Mondial Music festival in Maastricht(the Netherlands), by a trio performance. (setar, guiter, and vocal)
He also played in many festivals such as, The Gaude Mater Poland, The
Guitar Festival Switzerland, The Glatt & Verkehrt Festival Austria…....
Currently, he performs in ensembles Mezrab and PARDIS.
Bam-Tar
Ramin Azimian
was born in 1976 in Ahwas Iran. His Father whom played the violin
thought him the fundaments of playing the violin at the age of 5 years.
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
Azimian and Behzad Roushanpoor.In that ensemble he got the chance to
play the Tar and felt inlove with it immediately and took a few lessons by
MajidDerachshani.
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
takinglessons at a higher level by Composer, Tar and Setar virtuesHamid
Motebassem, by whom he has been studding therepertoire of traditional
Persian music “radif “ and Composition.
For the last few years he has been involved in three Ensemblesnamed,
Mezrab and Pardis which are founded ByHamid Motebassem, where he
playes the Tar and Bamtar.
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Bam-Tar
Ava Ayoubi
was born in 1978, in Tehran and plays the Tar, Bam-Tar, and Piano. She
studied at Tehran Music Academy and earned her B.A. in Music University.
Teachers include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hossein Alizadeh
Behrooz Hematei
Farhaad Fakhredini
Mohammadreza Darvishi
Dariush Talaee
Dariush pirniyakan
she was a ten time returning participant of the Fajr Music Festival. She
has also been an active musicians in concerts held in Germany, Switzerland (Buskersbern Festival), Belgium, France, China, Kuwait, and Abu
Dhabi.
Some other activities include cooperation with the following ensembles:
Iranian National Orchestra, Dehlavi Mezrabi Orchestra, Naghmeye Kimiya, Khonya, Golbang, and Khojaste. She is also an
active musician for Iran’s National TV Broadcasting.
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.
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Bam-Tar
Jalal Amirpoorsaeid
was born in 1972 in kerman.
He play Tar, Setar, Daf and Clarinet. He studied the B.A in Handicraft , M.A
in research in traditional arts in Tehran Soore University.
Teachers:
Houshang zarif- Bijan kamkar- Hoseyn Dehlavi- Farhaad fakhredini auob dejakam jalal was one times nominated for the best clarinet solo in
the students festival and he was ten times participated in the fajr festival.
He participated in concerts in Germany- Swiss(buskersbern Festival)Belgium- Portugal.
Discography:
Rooy Dar Aftab, Shiraz film Music, Damavand project,…
Some Activities:
• cooperating with ensembles: Iranian National orchestra
• Tehran symphony orchestra , Dehlavi Mezrabi orchestra,
Naghmeye Kimiya, Afarinesh (under leading of Nader Mashayekhi) ,Khonya, Golbang, Eal ensemble, leadership and coordinator of Mahan Percussion ensemble
• Iran Radio music expert
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Tar
Azad Mirzapour
Born in Saghez 1979
Instructors:
• His father, Rasoul Mirzapour
• Tioush Bahrami
• Reza Vahdani
• Arshad Tahmasbi
• Hossein Alizadeh
• Graduated from Secondary Music School and University
of Fine Arts
Activities:
• Performances in France, Spain, and numerous other international festivals
• Cooperation with renowned musicians such as Alireza Eftekhari,
Homayoun Shajarian, Fereidoun Shahbazian, Majid Entezami,
and Abbas Khoshdel
• 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
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Tar
Pooyan Biglar
Born in 1982 Hamedan
He started his musical endeavors in 1989, under the supervision of :
DARYOUSH TALAYI , REZA VOHDANI, DARYOUSH ZARGARi , ARSHAD TAHMASBI , and MOHAMMAD REZA LOTFI.
He graduated from ART UNIVERSITY with a Masters of Arts.
He has performed in several concerts with DARYOUSH TALAYI and has
collaborated with SHEYSADE ensemble under the supervision of MOHAMMAD REZA LOTFI for the performance of pieces such as “SEPIDEH” and
“VATANAM IRAN”.
He has taught at: Music Industrial school , Azad University and a number
of other music institutes.
His albums currently in the process of publishing are:
• Solo Tar playing collection.
• Khaneye gharib with singing of VAHID TAJ.
• Sooge bahar with singing of ALIREZA SHAHMOHAMMADI.
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Tar
Sahar Sakhaei
was born in 1986, Tehran.
Sahar has always had a strong liking for literature and music. She initiated
her musical training with the piano in 1998, but it was her passion for
traditional Iranian music which opened new horizons for her.
She then continued her musical training by learning Tar and started taking
her very first steps as a professional musician. Since then, she has dedicated most of her time to working with numerous well-known masters
such as Behrouz Hemmati, Hooshang Zarif, Mohhamad Reza Lotfi, Amir
Eslami, Pooyan Biglar, Mohamad reza Darvishi, and Arshad tahmasebi.
Sahar holds a B.A in Persian Literature from Allame Tabatabaii University
in Tehran. Through her education she has pursued her interest in theoretical aspects of art by writing and publishing articles on philosophy of art
and contemporary music.
She has performed in numerous concerts both in and out of Iran and has
worked with Noora ensemble and nava ensemble.
She has cooperated in a number of different recordings:
• KHANEE GHARIB sung by Vahid Taaj
• SOROODE SOOG with Alireza Shah Mohammadie
cooperation.
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Tar
Padideh Ahrar Nejad
Born in 1977, Tehran
Instructors:
Behrouz Hemmati, Hossein Alizadeh, Houshang Zarif She graduated from
Secondary Music School and is a holder of Bachelors degree in Music from
University of Art.
Activities:
Member of National Orchestra led by Farhad Fakhreddini and performer
in concerts held in Switzerland, Kuwait, and China.
Member of the following female orchestras for Iran’s
Television Broadcasting:
Naghmeye Kimiya ,Tarannome Jan, Khojaste, Hamnavazan e Mehr,
Mehr Ava
Performed in Germany and Austria with “Naghmeye Kimiya” Orchestra under the supervision of Mohammad Haghighifard
Earned first place in Music Festival and second place in University’s Festival.
Published Albums:
• One of the soloists in the Album
“Honarmandan e Javan”,
• under the supervision of Hossein Alizadeh
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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 Mahmoud Farahmand.
In 2001, he entered the conservatory and chose Tar as his main instrument. 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.
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Kamancheh
Sina Jahanabadi
Born in 1975, Tehran
Kamancheh Instructors:
Davoud Ganjeyi, Aliakbar Shekarchi, Kamran Darougheh, Ardeshir Kamkar, Graduated from Secondary Music School and University of Art.
Activities:
Cooperation with Ava, Shahnaz, Mowlavi, Bahar, Vaziri ensembles and
renowned vocalists such as MohammadReza Shajarian, Shahram Nazeri,
Hengameh Akhavan, Iraj Bastami, and Homayoun Shajarian Collaboration in recording and performing numerous albums with the named
musicians, along with the Mastan Ensemble and Parvaz e Homay in
international festivals.
Musicianship in the following published albums:
• Nasim e Vasl, Ba Setareha, Showghe Dust Rendan e Mast
• Rendan e Mast, Molaghat ba Duzakhian
• In che Jahanist
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Kamancheh
Sina Alam
He was born in Tehran in 1989.he began iranian violin with Mr.hooman
shams in 1998.
After learning primary courses , He studied Iranian Radif of Master Ali
Tajvidi with Behrang Azadeh . For scientific studding of music he joined to
“ Seda va sima” art school in 2000 and choosed kamanche as his specific
musical instrument.
Then continued kamanche with master Hadi Arazm, and has been playing 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
working for “Seda va sima” now .
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 …
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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 Tehran 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 Kamkar with whom he further advanced his Radif knowledge. 2003 marked
the beginning of his professional activities. He has had the valuable opportunity 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.
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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”
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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
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Gheychak -Bass
Bita Ghasemi
was born in 1977, in Tehran. She graduated with a degree in music from
the University of Tehran , Department of Fine Arts. Her teachers were
AliAkbar Shekarchi (kamancheh), and Samimi (Violin).
She has alsodecided to work on the newly evolved version of the Persian
fiddle, BassGeychak, which is her assigned instrument in the Simorq
project. She hasalso done some recordings with the Bass Geychak. She
has performed in many concerts alongside some of the most eminent
masters and ensembles such as Bahar ensemble - with Mrs. Hengameh
Akhavan. Other ensembles include Tolu, Khonia , Saye, Rozaneh, Avaye
Dust, Tazarv. Her rich recording background encompasses playing Kamancheh in “bigah shod”, a cooperation with Rozaneh ensmble and Siamak
Aghaei.
Bita has worked as a musician and composer on several
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
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Gheychak
Samaneh Barouti
Born in 1983 (1365=1986) in Qazvin
Professional musicianship began in 2004-05 with the Violin. Started to
learn the Alto Gheychak in 2007-08.
Currently pursuing music academically at the (Professional Scientific
University)
Now active on music branch in scientific professional university.
Teachers:
• Shahram Gholampour (Iranian Violin)
• Mohsen Ebadi & Shamim Movvahed (Classic Violin)
• Reza Abaee (gheychak Alto)
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Gheychak
Hamed Afshari
Born in Kashan 1977
Education:
• Learning Tombak: Ali Saemi 1988
• Learning Violin (Persian style): Asadollah Malek 1995
• Learning basics of harmony : Farhad Harati 1996
• Graduated in medicine (M.D) from Iran
University of Medicine 2002
• Playing Ghaychak bam since 2005
(under the guidance of Majid Derakhshani)
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, Shanaz ensemble,
Chargan quartet…
• A member of Khorshid ensemble and performing several concerts in China, France and Iran since 2005
• A member of Mahtab ensemble as player and composer since 2006
• A member of Shahnaz ensemble and performing several concerts with Maestro Shajarian since 2007
• A member of Chargan quartet since 2007.
Some Albums he has played in:
• The season of rain
• Asemane
• Khorshid ensemble2 all composed by Majid Derakhshani
• Rendan-e Mast with Mastero Shajarian
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