Rumi Symphony Project Presents 'Iranian Sounds of Peace' in U.S.

Iranian Sounds of Peace: An East/West Musical Dialogue
Artistic Director: Hafez Nazeri

Featuring the legendary Shahram Nazeri and an all-star ensemble of nine musicians from around the world, the Rumi Symphony Project is an ongoing work in Hafez Nazeri's search to integrate classical Iranian and Western musical traditions into a new genre. While the essence and elemental structures of Persian music are preserved, the music is no longer solely Persian or Western it seeks the transcendent tone of Rumi's Sufi poetry, transposed into a new context to celebrate the diversity of voices that forms our common humanity. This musical discourse is a metaphor of our hope for understanding and peace.

Program Details

Shahram Nazeri, Voice
Hafez Nazeri, Artistic Director and Setar

Artists from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center:
Paul Neubauer, Viola
Ida Kavafian, Viola
Fred Sherry, Cello

Special Guests:
Matt Haimovitz, Cello
Tim Cobb, Double Bass
Hussein Zahawy, Percussion

Dreaming of Peace, Iranian Composer Heads to Carnegie Hall
Interview with Hafez Nazari - WWD.com

For Hafez Nazeri, the opportunity to be the first Iranian composer to headline Carnegie Hall with his opus titled "Iranian Sounds of Peace" will fulfill a dream of helping promote peace and understanding between Eastern and Western cultures, especially after the crackdown on the 2009 Iranian election protests in June.

"At a time when all that we hear about Iran is filtered through headlines of intolerance, chaos and violence, I feel it is important to portray a 7,000-year cultural history with its deeply poetic and artistic mystical traditions," says Nazeri. His goal is to be the "new face of Iran in the West, and create something that talks to young Iranians."

The Nazeri Music Foundation debuts the world premiere of the "Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle One" this fall in Los Angeles. The performance entitled "Rite of Fall: Mehregan" will be presented by Nederlander Concerts and Rum & Humble with assistance from the Asia Society.
Nazeri, Voice

Hafez Nazeri, Artistic Director and Setar
Artists from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center:
Paul Neubauer, Viola
Ida Kavafian, Viola
Fred Sherry, Cello
Special Guests:
Matt Haimovitz, Cello
Tim Cobb, Double Bass
Hussein Zahawy, Percussion