.jpg "An Iranian ensemble performs during the closing ceremony of the 28th Fajr International Music Festival at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on February 19, 2013. (ISNA/Vahid Sohrabi)")
TEHRAN -- Winners of the 28th Fajr International Music Festival were announced during a ceremony at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Tuesday evening.
Although a few foreign groups including the German-French group, the Tarkovsky Quartet, participated in the festival, none of them groups were among the winners.
First prize in the classical group category went to the Baran Guitar Quartet, which is led by Amid Asgari, and the Cadence String Quartet led by Puya Boluri won second prize. No group deserved third prize in this category.
Qazvin Sama led by Feriedun Mohammadbeigi was the group in the traditional Iranian music category. The Chang Band led by Ramin Safaii won second prize and Nasim Group led by Nasim Ahmadian received third prize.
No group deserved first prize in the choral music section, but second prize was shared by the Bahman Cultural Center’s Group conducted by Arash Fallahi, and Mehr-e Vatan Group conducted Masud Nekuii.
In addition, the Melal Group conducted by Donna Qavami and Sonat Group conducted by Mohsen Bafandeh shared third prize in this category.
The organizers also honored several composers in various categories.
A flute quintet by Shrvin Abbasi won first prize in the classical music section and two string quartets by Javad Abraheh and Amin Rafiei received honorable mention.
“The Grieves of the Dancing Plain” by Hamid Moradian won first prize in the traditional Iranian music category. Second prize went to Hossein Khoshchehreh for “The Town Pious”, and Ali Omidi won third prize for “Hidden as Spirit”.
A number of Iranian pop bands also performed in the noncompetition section of the festival.
MMS/YAW
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