Farhang.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday February 2, 2023

 

A Concert For Unity And Freedom, Pacific Symphony And Farhang Foundation Welcome The Iranian New Year, Nowruz

Led by Music Director Carl St. Claire and presented in collaboration with Farhang Foundation, the program presents Grammy-nominated artist, Kayhan Kalhor and renowned vocalists Azam Ali and Sussan Deyhim. 

 

LOS ANGELES – Farhang Foundation is delighted to announce our continued long-running partnership with the incredible Pacific Symphony; in its ongoing quest to present a broad array of musical genres for diverse audiences with the announcement of this year's Nowruz Concert: Unity For Freedom. This special concert, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair will take place on March 26 at 7 p.m.

Pacific Symphony and Farhang Foundation welcome Grammy-nominated musician and composer Kayhan Kalhor to the stage as a soloist for this unique program. Kalhor is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso on the kamancheh (spiked fiddle) and has been instrumental in popularizing Iranian music worldwide. A native of Iran, born in the Kurdish city of Kermanshah, he was a musical prodigy who traveled Iran to perform and explore the music of its many regions. This concert is expected to sell out—for best availability, visit Farhang.org or contact the Pacific Symphony's box office at (714) 755-5799.

Kayhan Kalhor

Kayhan Kalhor is an original member of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project, and he continues to compose for and tour with the group. He has been nominated for three Grammys and, in 2017, was awarded a Grammy with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble. The Nowruz program also features renowned vocalists Azam Ali and Sussan Deyhim, as well as dance by Tara Ghassemieh. Music Director Carl St.Clair shares the podium with guest conductor Shardad Rohani.

Anoosheh Oskouian, a trustee of the Farhang Foundation and a board member of Pacific Symphony, commented, "I am so pleased that the Farhang Foundation has been a partner with Pacific Symphony to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring and rebirth of nature." She continued, "This year, more than ever; it is important to welcome Nowruz with the hope of UNITY FOR FREEDOM for a New Day and support of all Iranians.

"Farhang Foundation is extremely proud to be able to continue our long partnership with Pacific Symphony," said Alireza Ardekani, executive director of Farhang Foundation. "This year's concert further exemplifies the incredible contribution of Iranian artists to the world of music, and we are so grateful to Maestro St.Clair and the entire team at Pacific Symphony for their commitment and dedication in showcasing the true face of Iranians and Iranian culture on such a grand platform."

Maestro St.Clair commented: "For many years now, Pacific Symphony has been striving to embrace Orange County's rich and diverse communities through contextual programming. This is a way to connect on a more personal level and also reflects my own wish to enrich lives through the beauty and power of music. I greatly look forward to the collaboration between these extraordinary artists, members of Pacific Symphony, and myself. We hope to build and deepen bridges between cultures through art and music."

Nowruz is a traditional festival that marks the beginning of spring, a time to celebrate the rebirth of nature and wash away the past. As one of the most ancient and important festivals of Iranian heritage, the Nowruz New Year celebration symbolizes the vitality of Iranian culture and continues an exultant tradition that unites all those who participate. Nowruz has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years, encompassing a broad range of Iranian customs, and it is among the unique Iranian cultural events that are pertinent to the traditions of all religious groups.

NOWRUZ CONCERT: UNITY FOR FREEDOM

Sunday, March 26, 7 p.m.
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa

Artists

Carl St.Clair, conductor
Shardad Rohani, conductor
Kayhan Kalhor, kamancheh
Azam Ali, vocalist
Sussan Deyhim, vocalist
Tara Ghassemieh, ballet
Pacific Symphony
Program to be announced.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for pre-concert festivities in the lobby that include traditional Iranian musicians and a grand Haft-Sîn display.

About Pacific Symphony

Pacific Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair since 1990, has been the resident orchestra of Orange County's Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for over a decade. Founded in 1978, the Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years and is not only a fixture of musical life in Southern California, but also is recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on both the national and international scenes. In April 2018, Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall, where it was invited to perform as part of a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass' 80th birthday. The Symphony made its first-ever tour to China that year, with performances in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. In Orange County, the orchestra presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country's five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras. The Symphony's education and community engagement activities have also been recognized by the League, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.

Artists, programs, prices, and dates are subject to change.

 

ABOUT FARHANG FOUNDATION

Farhang Foundation is a member-supported nonreligious, nonpolitical and nonprofit foundation established in 2008 to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community-at-large. The foundation supports a broad range of academic and cultural activities by funding university programs, diverse cultural programs such as the celebrations of Nowruz, and Shab-e Yalda as well as musical performances, film screenings and festivals.

 

For media inquiries contact:
Tannaz Guivi | press@farhang.org / 310-666-1546