Nowruz, the Persian New Year, may not be marked on every Californian’s calendar, but Michael Morgan and the Oakland East Bay Symphony gave the holiday its due with a March program featuring Persian composers and performers. “We have a huge community of Iranians and Middle Easterners in the Bay Area,” Morgan explained to the Contra Costa Times. “We need to get to know something about their history and culture.” The program included Ahmad Pejman’s 1975 Symphonic Sketches; Behzad Ranjbaran’s new orchestral work Seemorgh (The Phoenix); and three movements of Omid Zoufonoun’s Manteq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds), with Amin Zoufonoun on the kamencheh, a Persian-style bowed lute also known as a spike fiddle. The night was rounded out by Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, featuring three Persian-born soloists: Tara Kamangar on piano, Cyrus Beroukhim on violin, and Arash Amini on cello.
“You are the funniest person I have ever seen.” —Kurt, age 10 “I want to come to another concert. This was fun.” —Eric, age 9 “We’ve never been to a better family performance.” —Buffalo Philharmonic patron
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Missoula Symphony
Dan Kamin (412)563-0468 dan@dankamin.com
Top: Soloists Tara Kamangar, piano; Cyrus Beroukhim, violin; Arash Amini, cello performed Beethoven's Triple Concerto with Music Director Michael Morgan and the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Above: Michael Morgan (center) with composer Omid Zoufonoun (right) and kamanche soloist Amin Zoufonoun (left) after the premiere of Omid Zoufonoun's Manteq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds).
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Patrice Hidu
Persian Sounds in the East Bay
Patrice Hidu
Buffoon soloist
Here’s a way to raise funds and awareness while getting plenty of exercise. On August 20, the Missoula Symphony in Montana will sponsor its second annual Cycle for the Symphony event, in which cyclists will bike for as many as 119 miles through the scenic countryside of Big Sky Country. Mechanics and motorcycle escorts will accompany the riders; there will be stops for breakfast and lunch, and a fabulous Finish Line BBQ is promised. Last year’s Riders and their bovine admirers at the Missoula inaugural event raised $32,500 for the Symphony’s 2010 Cycle for the Symphony orchestra. fundraiser symphony
SUMMER 2011