Tehran Symphony Orchestra to highlight Mozart masterpieces

The Tehran Symphony Orchestra is to perform a series of concerts led by guest conductor Manuchehr Sahbaii at the Vahdat Hall from October 31 until November 2.

A section of the performances will be devoted to a selection of Mozart’s masterpieces and several guest musicians will be taking part, Sahbaii said in a press conference held on Sunday at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall.

“I was a member of the jury of the Mozart Music Award which was held at the University of Tehran last year. I suggested that officials provide an opportunity for the winners to give concert performances instead of presenting them with awards.

On the current situation of the leadership of the orchestra, Sahbaii commented that it must have a permanent conductor, adding, “Every orchestra needs a clear-cut program. In my view we are in great need of an experienced and proficient leader.”

The music and poetry office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has recently come up with the idea of running the Tehran Symphony Orchestra using guest conductors, yet this is not the music policy in any other country in the world.

The office announced on July 1 that the Tehran Symphony Orchestra no longer had a permanent leader and that in the future it would be led by guest conductors.