TEHRAN – The Tehran Symphony Orchestra (TSO) resumed concerts at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Monday evening after a five-year hiatus by performing the national anthem.
Maestro Ali Rahbari conducted the orchestra during the performance, which was warmly welcomed by Iranian officials.
First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati, Former Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and Deputy Culture Minister for Artistic Affairs Ali Moradkhani attended the concert.
A large number of Iranian musicians, including Shahram Nazeri, Farhad Fakhreddini, Shahin Farhat and Davud Ganjei, were also in attendance at the concert.
“I must admit tonight is the best night of my life when I witness the reopening of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra after many years,” Vienna-based maestro Ali Rahbari said in his short speech addressing the audience.
“Several years before the victory of Islamic Revolution (1979), I began work with the fathers of these musicians and now after all these years, I continue with their grandchildren. Believe me, they are your own children and if you abandon them, you have committed a great sin. I am very happy to have such musicians in my country, Iran,” he asserted.
Rahbari called members of the orchestra a great treasure of the art and culture of the country and asked officials to help support the orchestra and pave the way for better activities for the talented musicians.
He also expressed his thanks to President Hassan Rouhani, the culture minister and all the individuals who have made efforts to restore the orchestra.
RM/YAW
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