Contacts: Pam Wigley 412-268-1047 pwigley@andrew.cmu.edu
Renee Caudle 412-268-1047 rcaudle@andrew.cmu.edu
PITTSBURGH—The Center for Iranian Music (CFIM) at Carnegie Mellon University will host the Persian Music Festival, Oct. 17-19, featuring lectures and performances of traditional and contemporary Iranian music.
"The goal of the festival is to support the culture and music of Iran," said Reza Vali, professor of composition at CMU's School of Music and director of education and research for the center. "This will be the first year of the festival, and CFIM hopes to continue to host it every year."
The festival provides an opportunity for people to learn more about Iranian music and culture. Vali believes that all cultures are interconnected, and music is a universal language that speaks to everyone, regardless of ethnic background, religion or country of origin.
Festival highlights are:
- Thursday, Oct. 17, 1:30 p.m., Kresge Recital Hall — "A Concert of Contemporary Music of Iran" Cyrus Forough, violin; Katya Janpoladyan, cello; Sung-Im Kim, piano; free admission;
- Thursday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m. Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry — "Contemporary Music of Iran" Lecture by Reza Vali; free admission;
- Friday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m. Kresge Recital Hall — "Dialogue of Ancient Civilizations: A Concert of Persian and Chinese Hammer Dulcimers" Dariush Saghafi, Persian Santoor; Mahmoud Tehrani, Tombak; Mimi Jong, Erhu;The Bamboo Breeze Ensemble (Xiannian Xiao, Yanqin, Julie Tay, Chinese drums); Tickets $20, students $10;
- Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m., Alumni Concert Hall — "A Workshop of Persian and Chinese Music" Dariush Saghafi, Persian Santoor; The Bamboo Breeze Ensemble (Xiannian Xiao, Julie Tay); Yanqin (Chinese hammer dulcimer), and other Chinese instruments; free admission; and
- Saturday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m., Kresge Recital Hall — "Women of Persian Music: A Concert of Persian Traditional Music" Sepideh Raissadat, Setâr and vocals, and Naghmeh Farahmand, Tombak, Dáf; Tickets $20, students $10.
CFIM was founded by Vali and Bijan Elyaderani in the fall of 2012. The center's mission is to preserve and promote Iranian music. CFIM pursues activities in three areas: education, community engagement, and conservation and promotion of Iranian music. More details are available at the CFIM's website.
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CMU's Reza Vali (pictured above) wants to increase awareness about the role music has played in the continuation and preservation of the ancient culture of Persia. His passion for Persian music led him to co-found the center for Iranian Music (CFIM) in CMU's College of Fine Arts with Bijan Elyaderani, M.D., the director of the Iranian American Cultural Association of Pittsburgh.