LEADING IRANIAN MUSICIAN NOMINATED FOR GRAMMY AWARD

Cultural Heritage News, Iran
Dec 12 2006

Grammy Award-nominated Iranian instrumentalist, Hossein Alizadeh
Hossein Alizadeh, famous Iranian music composer and instrumentalist,
is nominated for the Grammy Award 2007 for his album "Endless Vision."

Tehran, 12 December 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) — Iran’s leading composer
and musician, Hossein Alizadeh, has been nominated for 2007 Grammy
Award in the traditional music category for his album "Endless Vision."

In this album, Grammy Award-nominated Iranian instrumentalist Alizadeh
has teamed up with Armenian Djivan Gasparyan who plays duduk (a
double-reed woodwind that sounds like a mournful oboe) to celebrate
the bonds of their art. Along with their fine ensembles, Alizadeh and
Gasparyan turn in sublime performances that beautifully illustrate
the historical and cultural bonds between their two countries.

Born in 1951 in Tehran, Hossein Alizadeh is one of the most important
figures in contemporary Iranian music. He has invented a new musical
instrument which he has named Shurangiz, a six-stringed lute.

Alizadeh has performed extensively throughout the United States,
Europe, and Asia and has appeared on many radio and television
programs including Radio France, RIAS in Berlin, WDR in Cologne,
the BBC, KCRW in Los Angeles, and KPFA in Berkeley.

Some of Alizadeh’s most noted compositions are: The Nava Improvisations
(1976), Riders of the Plains of Hope (1977), Hesar (1977), Revolt
(1983) for harp, string orchestra, and percussion, NeyNava (1983),
Dream (1986) for harp and flute, Torkaman (1986), Raz-O-Niaz (1986),
and Song of Compassion (1991), etc. "Endless Vision" is the latest
album release by Alizadeh and his Armenian companion.

Many consider Alizadeh one of the most important figures in
contemporary Persian music. He has taught at the University of Tehran
and the Tehran Music Conservatory and has written and published a
number of etudes for tar, a Persian string folk instrument which
looks like a Lute.

Alizadeh’s album, "Endless Vision" for which he has been nominated for
the prestigious Grammy Award, has been described by world musicians as
"a rare and sheer beauty [that] combines spirituality and emotion with
musical mastery …" (Dr. Maria Vanderloo & Dr. Henk Longbeard’Boot)

The 49th annual Grammy Awards will be presented to the winners on
February 11, 2007 in Los Angeles.