Interview with Mehdi Hosseini Epoch Times -- Ancient Persian Music to Broaden Russia’s Cultural Boundaries

1. B2 Arts & Culture The Epoch Times June 11 – 17, 2009
MUSIC
Ancient Persian Music Rich Season of Music Ahead By EMAN ISADIAR
to Broaden Russia’s SAN FRANCISCO—Music lovers in all nine Bay
Area counties are in for an especially rich 2009–2010
season of symphony and opera. Below are some of the
highlights as announced by the region’s performing
arts organizations.
Cultural Boundaries San Francisco Symphony
The season will open on Sept. 9 with pianist Lang
Lang, followed by a three-week festival exploring
the music of Gustav Mahler and others with artistic
ties to the composer. Segments of the festival will be
By KREMENA KRUMOVA filmed for future episodes of the symphony’s signature
Epoch Times Staff educational series “Keeping Score.” Selected Mahler
works will also be performed on tour in New York
Music that will take you to the dri- and in Lucerne, Switzerland, while SFS Media plans
est places of Iran; that will unveil for to release a new album with Mahler’s “Symphony of a
you the mysticism of ancient Persia; Thousand” recorded live at Davies Hall in November
and that will broaden your cultural 2008.
perspective to the limit—this is what Other important season events include new
the latest “Concerto for Baluch” by “Keeping Score” episodes featuring music by Berlioz,
composer Mehdi Hosseini aspires to Shostakovich, and Ives to be broadcast on KQED in
do. the fall; new residency projects with cellist Yo-Yo Ma
The Association for Contemporary and composer George Benjamin; and a star-studded
Music of the St. Petersburg Composers roster of guest artists from violinist Itzhak Perlman to
Union will present “Concerto for baritone Thomas Hampson. San Francisco Symphony
Baluch (for six instruments)” com- will also host performances by the Los Angeles
posed by the Iranian-born composer Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Gewandhaus
Mehdi Hosseini. The six instruments Orchestra, and Mariinsky Orchestra.
of the composition are alto flute, con- Music director Michael Tilson Thomas—or
trabassoon, horn, xylophone, violin, “MTT” as he is commonly known—will himself ap-
and violoncello. pear as the soloist in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23
The world premiere of the in January 2010.
Concerto, which will be staged on
June 11 in St. Petersburg, is inspired San Francisco Opera
by Persian folk music. It will en- The single most important element of the Opera’s CHARISMATIC: San Francisco Opera welcomes highly
deavor to uplift the audience’s souls upcoming season is of course the highly publicized acclaimed Italian conductor Nicola Luisotti as the
and “create an atmosphere of open- handing over of the proverbial—and literal—baton company’s new artistic director. TERRENCE MCCARTHY
ness to the plight of others.” by outgoing music director Donald Runnicles to the
The music will be performed by se- charismatic Italian conductor Nicola Luisotti.
lected soloists from the St. Petersburg The season opens on Sept. 11 with Verdi’s “Il
State Conservatory and the St. Trovatore” followed by eight other productions, Oakland East Bay Symphony
Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. namely “Il Trittico” featuring Puccini’s three sin- On Nov. 13, 2009, music director Michael Morgan
Brad Cawyer, an American musi- WALL PAINTING: Musical performance from 17th century Persia COURTESY: gle-act operas: “Suor Angelica,” “Il Tabarro,” and will conduct excerpts from well-known operas by
MEHDI HOSSEINI
cian currently establishing a career in “Gianni Schicchi,” Mozart’s “Abduction from the Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti, Mascagni, Wagner, and
Russia, will be the conductor. Seraglio,” “The Daughter of the Regiment” by
“My composition was selected Donizetti, “Salome” by Richard Strauss, Verdi’s
for inclusion in this program by “Otello,” “Faust” by Gounod, Puccini’s “The Girl
Association Director Georgy Firtich. of the Golden West,” and ending with Wagner’s “Die
Through this performance, he hopes Walküre.”
to foster cultural understanding,”
composer Mehdi Hosseini shared San Francisco Lyric Opera
with The Epoch Times. Artistic director Barnaby Palmer will conduct a
special gala performance called “Great Moments in
On Baluch and Iranian Folklore Opera” on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, while the season
In a special online interview, com- officially begins in March 2010 with “The Barber of
poser Mehdi Hosseini explained that Seville” by Rossini. The final production of the sea-
Baluch is a name for a Persian eth- son is yet to be announced.
nic group that inhabits a region in
Southwest Asia. They speak their Berkeley Symphony
own Balochi language. The source Berkeley Symphony will open its season on Oct. 15
materials for the composition are folk with “The Chairman Dances” by John Adams, West
songs from two of the driest provinces Coast premiere of “Peregrinos” by Gabriela Lena
in Iran—Sistan and Baluchestan. Frank, and Bartók’s “Concerto for Orchestra.” This
Mehdi Hosseini began the Baluch concert marks the debut of Joana Carneiro as the new
compositional process by transcrib- music director succeeding Kent Nagano, who held
ing a recording made by a veteran this post for three decades.
dunali (doneli) player, Master Shir Two other West Coast premieres are also being pre-
Mohammad Spandar from the re- DRAWING ON TRADITION: Iranian composer Mehdi Hosseini, born in sented, which are Steven Stucky’s “Elegy” on Dec.
NEW DIRECTOR: Joana Carneiro succeeds Kent
gion of Baluchestan. 1979 in Theran, now lives and composes in St. Petersburg, Russia. 3, 2009 and Jörg Widmann’s “Con brio” on April 1,
Nagano as music director of Berkeley Symphony. DAVID
The dunali is an end-blown flute His music achieves a subtle fusion of contemporary composition and 2010. Although not a premiere of any kind, Esa-Pekka WEISS
which is usually played solo. It is said ancient Persian musical traditions which can be heard in his quartets, Salonen’s “Five Images After Saphho” for soprano
that some people go into a trance symphonies, and concertos. COURTESY: MEHDI HOSSEIN and chamber ensemble on Feb. 11, 2010 is another sig-
when exposed to the sound of this nificant modern work included in the season. Bernstein, sung by soprano Hope Briggs, tenor Kalil
rare musical instrument. In this par- While Berkeley Symphony is known primarily as a Wilson, bass Kirk Eichelberger, and the Oakland
ticular recording, Spandar made In his music, Mehdi Hosseini Hosseini was already working as champion of new music on the West Coast, next sea- Symphony Chorus.
use of a number of Magam: Liku, strives to explore the intersection of a composer with Iranian National son it will also perform standard symphonic works by Other season highlights include music from
Delgani, Zuljalal-Guati, and some traditional Eastern music and neo- TV and other media corporations in Beethoven, Barber, Brahms, Sibelius, and Stravinsky. Armenia on Jan. 22, works by Ives, Duke Ellington,
other famous songs from the region. contemporary musical language. He Tehran. To broaden his experience, and a world premiere commission by Rebeca Mauleón
Magam (also spelled as a Mugham believes that a monodic system can the 30-year-old composer moved to California Symphony on Feb. 26, followed in March by accompaniment to a
or Mugam) is very closely linked to be generally understood as an ex- the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He Music Director Barry Jekowsky will open the next screening of Buster Keaton’s silent film “The General”
the Persian musical tradition and perimental type of composition that was very satisfied with his studies and season of Walnut Creek’s California Symphony on Oct. and the “Organ Symphony” by Saint-Saëns with or-
represents a monodic music system, proposes a new view towards folk formed strong relationships with his 11, 2009, with a new work titled “Mercury Interlude” ganist Christoph Bull.
similar to an Indian Raga. It is not music—a view that emphasizes the teachers. by young American composer Mason Bates, along A second world premiere commission will be pre-
limited only to Iran but is used widely importance of the multiple sound He also came into contact with with Symphony No. 2 by Sibelius, Ravel’s “Mother sented on April 16, this time by composer Benedikt
in the Middle East and Far East. forms used in this system as well as many foreign musicians—some Goose Suite,” and Rossini’s “William Tell Overture.” Brydern, along with Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto
“I started to work on the Concerto the rich heritage of regional music. who had come to study at the St. The California Symphony will perform three other No. 1 with soloist Adam Neiman. Beethoven’s Ninth
in February this year and finished it “When I compose, my task is to Petersburg Conservatory and oth- concert sets featuring Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” Symphony will mark the season’s final concert set in
just three weeks ago—on the whole it find the instruments which can be ers, to give concerts. Thus, Mehdi with narrator Will Durst in January, Bruch’s Violin May 2010.
took about four months. But I have to designed to use microtones as real became friends with many skilled Concerto with soloist Chad Hoopes in March, and
say that it took so long because I was function, not just as effect. For me, foreign musicians who regularly or- Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with soloist Sarina Peninsula Symphony
working on two other projects at the instrument means color, and I need ganized concerts in the city and in Zhang in May 2010. Maestro Mitchell Sardou-Klein will open the
same time.” all possible colors in my search. other countries. In St. Petersburg, the The season also includes symphonic works by Peninsula Symphony’s next season on Oct. 16 with
My compositions use a wide cultural program is quite rich with Adams, Beethoven, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with soloist
‘Persian music is like a Persian range of instruments—typically or- concerts every day. Many of the per- Tchaikovsky, and a world premiere commission by Natasha Paremski, Wagner’s “Rienzi Overture,” and
carpet, with solid form and chestral instruments which I some- formances are presented by highly Mason Bates. Symphony No. 9 by Shostakovich.
structure, and great intricacy’ times incorporate in non-classical accomplished musicians. The following concerts include Bach’s “Christmas
The most common belief about combinations. I have composed “However, I have to say that I have Festival Opera Oratorio” presented in late November with the
Persian music is that it is based on for string quartets, something even never limited myself concerning my Maestro Michael Morgan will kick off Festival Stanford Symphonic Chorus, an all-Gershwin concert
modal systems. However, on closer Haydn was composing for, and also compositional style. I always try to Opera’s 2009 season in Walnut Creek with Puccini’s in late January featuring “Rhapsody in Blue” with pi-
examination of the functional organ- for a sextet which included an alto be myself. I have adopted neither the “Turandot” on July 11. The second and final opera of anist Taylor Eigsti, Ravel’s “Tzigane” with Elizabeth
ization and sound materials of the flute and contrabassoon. These in- style of the Russians nor that of any the season is Gounod’s “Faust” presented in August. Pitcairne in late March, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony
music itself, this is not absolute. struments are typically only used other national music system. I still No. 5 in late May.
“At the heart of my work is the within the context of really large depend greatly on Eastern culture for Fremont Symphony
question of how Persian regional mu- orchestras.” comprehending the reality which my Music Director David Sloss will conduct Fremont Symphony Silicon Valley
sic relates to a monodic structure that Persian classical music, collectively music attempts to explain.” Symphony’s season opener on Sept. 26 with a concert Symphony Silicon Valley will open its 2009–2010
can be perceived as both functional known as the Radif (row) consists of titled “The World of Opera” with excerpts from well- season on Oct. 3 with conductor George Cleve in
within itself and, at the same time, many ancient pieces that are called ‘The responsibility of the known operas such as “Carmen,” “La Bohème,” “Don Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite,” Ravel’s Piano Concerto
connected to modal and macro-/ “Gusheh.” The Radif is fundamen- composer is to strive for the Giovanni,” “Rigoletto,” “Tosca,” and more sung by with soloist Gwendolyn Mok, and Symphony No. 4
microtonal systems. By ‘monody’ I tally a repertoire of melodies col- highest human values’ soprano NaGuanda Nobles, mezzo-soprano Layna by Brahms.
mean a system where context is deter- lected by different people and added Mehdi Hosseini concludes that the Chianakas, tenor Mathew Edwardsen, and baritone In late October Alasdair Neale will conduct mu-
mined from note to note, as opposed at different times. This repertoire is role and responsibility of the com- Scott Bearden. sic by Copland and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.
to the harmonic system where con- not like Western art music which is poser—and of all art as a whole—is Other performances include a fully-staged produc- 1 with soloist Ingrid Fliter. Stephen Prutsman will
text is developed from chord to chord. composed and intended to be played to strive for the highest human val- tion in December 2009 of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” conduct works by Albinoni, Resphighi, and Vivaldi
The aspect of modal and macro-/mi- exactly as written. ues. It is to remain focused on the real with Yoko’s Dance and Performing Arts Academy, a in early December, followed in early January by con-
crotonal systems is most easily heard Instead Gusheh is made up of tra- purpose of art. piano recital by local star Adam Neiman on Feb. 27, ductor Paul Polivnick, who will lead the orchestra
by Western ears as an “out-of-tune” ditional melodies, many of which “Art does not give birth to moral- and an all-Broadway Pops Concert with guest con- in a world premiere by Gordon Lee titled “Young
scale sound.” are derived from popular and folk ity, but, rather, the opposite—only ductor Greg Sudmeier on May 15, 2010. Impressions of the Old City” and Rimsky-Korsakov’s
Throughout Persia, regional folk sources. The Radif is organized into by adhering to high ethical standards “Scheherazade” and Rossini’s Overture to “La gazza
music differs from Western music twelve groups, seven of which are are people capable of creating art— Marin Symphony ladra.”
in that it is based on unequal tem- known as basic monodic structures the art of the good word, good act, Music director Alasdair Neale will conduct an all- In late March, Leslie Dunner will conduct the or-
perament. Western music uses an called “Dastgah” (system). The five good thought, etc.” Gershwin concert on Oct. 4, 2009 with pianist Keisuke chestra in excerpts from Gershwin’s timeless opera
equal temperament system which remaining are accepted as second- “People of all nations—of any Nakagoshi. “Porgy and Bess.” In mid-May, Gregory Vajda will con-
was developed in Europe in the 18th ary or derivative Dastgahs and are philosophical or religious perspec- The four remaining concerts include Vivaldi’s duct works by Mendelssohn, Bruch, and Tchaikovsky,
century. Equal temperament gives called “Naghmeh” (chant) or “Avaz” tive—should not forget that all these “Four Seasons” with soloist Elizabeth Pitcairne in followed by a concert of Mozart and Mahler in June
equal space between each of the (song). schools of thought are simply paths November 2009, Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” and 2010, conducted again by Leslie Dunner.
twelve chromatic tones that com- “Persian music is like a Persian to high ethical standards. It is these Brahms’ Violin Concerto with soloist Vadim Gluzman The Bay Area is also home to Fremont Opera,
prise an octave. carpet, with solid form and structure standards which form the moral in February 2010, and the world premiere of Three Santa Rosa Symphony, Vallejo Symphony, Napa
Persian folk music, like most folk and great intricacy. Yet, for the most paths that lead humanity to spiritual Songs for Soprano and Orchestra by Carlson with so- Valley Symphony, and Palo Alto’s West Bay Opera,
music worldwide, is built on non-reg- part, it has remained unknown in the fullness. A composer is no exception prano Christine Brewer conducted by guest conduc- whose programs are available online.
ular intervals. To many people this is West,” Hosseini added. to this truth.” tor Edward Abrams in April 2010.
noticeable as the “out-of-tune” play- Other works in the season are by Mozart’s Eman Isadiar teaches piano at the Peninsula
ing that they hear in Indian, Arabic, From Iran to Russia More about Mehdi Hosseini: http:// “Requiem” and Symphony No. 40, and music by Conservatory and writes about music in the San
or Chinese music. Before going to Russia, Mehdi mehdihosseini.net/ Barber, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, and Wagner. Francisco Bay Area.