the “simorq” project is an ambitious initiative …2 a legendary supernatural bird in persian...

The “Simorq” project is an ambitious initiative designed to acquaint the public with Iran’s historical culture, and totranscend boundaries.

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A legendary supernatural bird in Persian literatureFerdowsi’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 Fer-dowsi 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 Shâh-nâmeh 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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سیمرغشاهنامه 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 »Odyssey« و»Iliad« هومر و بیست برابر حماسه آملانی

»Nibelungensage« است.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 شاهنامه خوانى 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.


© Copyright 2010 Simorq Inc. All rights reservedwww.simorq.org

Manager of orchestraBehrang [email protected]

Orchestra Coordination and communicationsSaeedeh [email protected]

Coordinator in IranM. [email protected]

Financial adviserSaeed [email protected]

CoordinatorSoheila [email protected]

Responsible for sponsoringDr. Sajjad Rahnama’[email protected]

Responsible for sponsoring in north AmericaNavid [email protected]

AccountancyFahimeh [email protected]

Literature adviserDr. Mohsen Banaie [email protected]

TechnicianSasan Azodi [email protected]

English TranslatorAida [email protected]

Simorq foundationCorrespondenceMrs. Farzaneh [email protected]

Media:Photography Tahmineh MonzaviFilm Saied GhaziSound engineer Orod Anzabipoor

Idea, Conception, Design and realization


Hamid MotebassemComposer and Tar & Setar PlayerHamid 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 semi-nars dedicated to the two instruments.He has performed on numerous albums of contemporary Iranian compos-ers 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

• 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.)


Homayoun ShajarianSinger (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 su-pervision 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


NeyPasha HanjaniBorn in 1978, Tehran

Ney Instructor: Abdonaghi AfsharniaMusic Composition Instructor:Farhad Fakhredini, Graduated from Secondary Music School and Univer-sity of ArtActivities: 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


SanturPouya Saraiwas 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


PercussionMajid VatanianBorn 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

• Fakhteh • Shahrzad

• Naghmeye Kimia


PercussionAfshin BabaeiBorn 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.

PercussionSina Khoshk BijariBorn 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.


Choir- Singer (Tenor)Loris Hovianwas 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 Yer-evan 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 stud-ies 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)


Choir- Singer (Soprano)Sayeh Sodeyfiwas 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. Perform-ance 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 GhaziBorn in 1977, Mashhad, Saeedeh graduated with a BA in Persian Litera-ture 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.


Choir- Singer (Tenor)Mazyar Younesi

Born in 1983, Tehran. He studied piano performance and Setar (as a sec-ond 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 com-

position 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.


Choir- Singer (Soprano)Gelareh Vazirizadehwas 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.


BarbatMasoud 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.

BarbatMarjan Ravandiwas 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.


BarbatAli PajooheshgarWas 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 Televi-sion 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 …


Bam-TarPejman Zahedianwas 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 Mote-bassem, 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 Nether-lands), 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-TarRamin Azimianwas 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.


Bam-TarAva Ayoubiwas 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, Switzer-land (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.


Bam-TarJalal Amirpoorsaeidwas 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, leader-ship and coordinator of Mahan Percussion ensemble

• Iran Radio music expert

24 www.simorq.org

TarAzad MirzapourBorn in Saghez 1979Instructors:

• 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 interna-

tional festivals• Cooperation with renowned musicians such as Alireza Eftekhari,

Homayoun Shajarian, Fereidoun Shahbazian, Majid Entezami, and Abbas Khoshdel

• Collaboration in recording and performing numer-ous 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

www.simorq.org 25

TarPooyan BiglarBorn in 1982 HamedanHe started his musical endeavors in 1989, under the supervision of :DARYOUSH TALAYI , REZA VOHDANI, DARYOUSH ZARGARi , ARSHAD TAH-MASBI , 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 MOHAM-MAD 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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TarSahar Sakhaeiwas 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 dedi-cated 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 theoreti-cal 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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TarPadideh Ahrar NejadBorn 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


TarMilad Alipour1987, 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.

TarSiavash BorhaniBorn 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.


KamanchehSina JahanabadiBorn in 1975, TehranKamancheh Instructors: Davoud Ganjeyi, Aliakbar Shekarchi, Kamran Darougheh, Ardeshir Kam-kar, 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 Collabora-tion 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


KamanchehSina 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 play-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 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 Iranianmusic masters like:

• Mostafa Kamal Pourtorab• Esmaieel Tehrani• Mohsen Nafar• dr. Azade Far• Mohamad Esmaieeli• Sahakian• Parichehr Khaje …


KamanchehBehnoosh Behnamniawas born in 1988 in Tehran, and started playing the Violin in 1997.

Teachers include:Asadollah Malek, Siavash Zendegani, Masoud HassankhaniShe 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.

KamanchehAlireza Daryaeiwas 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.


KamanchehSoheil SadeghiBorn in 1982, Tehran

Kamancheh Instructor: Davoud GanjeyiOther 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 ResearchCooperation 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 KhamushParticipation 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.

KamanchehMoslem AlipourBorn 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”


GheychakReza Abaeewas 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 FarajpouriComposition 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.

GheychakShima 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


Gheychak -BassBita Ghasemiwas 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 Kaman-cheh 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


GheychakSamaneh BaroutiBorn 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)


GheychakHamed AfshariBorn 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

the “simorq” project is an ambitious initiative …2 a legendary supernatural bird in persian...

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