Cultural Heritage News, Iran
Sept 1 2007

When Art Creates a Bridge between Culture and Policy

Osnabruck Philharmonic Orchestra Brilliant performance of Osnabruck
Philharmonic Orchestra in Tehran was a significant milestone in
Iran’s cultural interactions after 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran.
Tehran, 1 September 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) – For the first time
after 28 years, Tehran was host of a Western European orchestra on 29
and 30th of August in Vahdat and Aseman concert halls. The
magnificent performance of Osnabruck Philharmonic Orchestra from
Germany, which was consisted of 60 German musicians accompanied by 6
Iranian artists, opened a new horizon for being hopeful for
repetition of such cultural events in Iran.

Last year’s performance of Tehran’s Symphony Orchestra Concert in
Osnabruck was greatly welcomed by artistic figures of Osnabruck and
attracted the attention of cultural and artistic associations of all
western countries and was broadcast live on German TV and radio. It
seems as though, this performance paved the ground for further
cultural interactions between Iran and western European countries.

The Osnabruck Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied its 60-member
troupe, Michael Dreyer, founder and executive director of Morgenland
Festival Osnabruck, Herman Broimer, conductor of Osnabruck Orchestra
came to Iran by the invitation of the Music and Poetry Department of
Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

According to Michael Dreyer, the 37-year-old German founder and
executive director of Morgenland Festival Osnabruck, this cultural
exchange could contribute to an easing of the political tension
between Iran and the West. `It is a very small step in improving
relations between the people in the two countries,’ he said.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German’s Foreign Minister who is the patron
of the event, and star conductor Daniel Barenboim are among those who
are trying to promote the cultural interactions between the two
countries.

Although based on earlier programs, Shahram Nazeri, Iranian famous
traditional vocalist, was supposed to cooperate with Osnabruck
Orchestra by singing verses of Rumi, Persian mystic poet, due to
recent changes in leadership of Tehran’s Symphonic Orchestra, this
joint performance was canceled and Osnabruck Philharmonic Orchestra
performed the concert by itself. However, Osnabruck Orchestra has
expressed hope for continuation of cooperation between artists of the
two countries in future.

`I hope that such cultural exchange projects will soon become
normality, even between the West and the Islamic world,’ said Dreyer.
He told reporters in Tehran that: `the exchange hoped to show to both
countries that there are lots of similarities between us and no
reason to fear each other.’

Dreyer visited Tehran several times over the past year in order to
prepare the ground for holding the concert. The trips were fully
coordinated with Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic guidance. Due
to Islamic regulations in Iran, the process for getting the
permission for holding such a concert in Tehran was not that easy.
There is a Persian proverb: you should overcome seven obstacles to
success, however, the Osnabruck Orchestra did it. The orchestra’s
director also said that the visit was mainly aimed at cultural
understanding, and not politics. `I am very glad that the women tried
to cover their heirs and it was fine. What is most important is the
music,’ said Broimer.

The news of holding this concert in Iran was widely spread around the
world and all artistic associations looked to this cultural event in
a very positive way. `Wednesday night’s performance, with female
performers covering their hair, was well received by its Iranian
audience,’ says newstime7.

The Leonore Overture no. 3, which is one of the four overtures
written by Beethoven for his only opera, concerto for cello and
orchestra in E minor of Sir Edward Elgar, the British romantic
composer, which is one of the most widely performed pieces for the
cello, symphony no. 4 of Johannes Brahms, the 19th century German
composer, was performed during by Osnabruck Philharmonic Orchestra in
Tehran which was highly welcomed by Iranian audiences and cultural
and artistic enthusiasts.

In only two years, the Morgenland Festival Osnabruck has ascended to
the first league of international music festivals. It features the
music from the Orient, from traditional music to the avant-garde.
Last year’s Morgenland Festival has had an international echo in the
most important media like the New York Times, the Washington Post,
the Australian News, and many others. When it comes to Oriental
music, its tope, the Morgenland Festival Osnabruck is certainly one
of the most important festivals in the Western world at this time.

In 2007, the festival’s program includes the first appearance of the
Cairo National Ballet in Germany, concerts by the Osnabruck
Philharmonic Orchestra in Tehran and many other projects. Although
the festival is based on Osnabruck, cooperations are planned with
Wien Modern and the Lincoln Center, New York.

A sensation in cultural policy, as well as top-notch and dance from
the Middle East are featured in the program of the Morgenland
Festival Osnabruck.

News reports over the past several years indicate that the Armenian
Philharmonic Orchestra has performed in Tehran, along with an
orchestra from Ukraine and a chamber group from Waidhofen-Ybbs in
Austria that accompanied a trade delegation. A four-member group from
Hamburg, Germany, specializing in contemporary music, ensemble
Integrales, has been in Iran twice in recent years.

Prior to the Islamic Revolution, foreign orchestras performed
regularly in Iran, including the Berlin Philharmonic and its
legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan. However, Tehran’s orchestra
was dissolved following the revolution. In the past decade some
attempts have been made to revive classical music in Iran. Tehran’s
Symphonic Orchestra gives regular concerts, mixing western classics
with compositions by Iranian composers. However, the performance of
classical and traditional Iranian music as well as instrumental
versions of western music has been allowed by Iranian clerics.

Soudabeh Sadigh
foreigndesk@chn.ir

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