TEHRAN – The 18th edition of Iran’s House of Music Celebration was overshadowed by criticism from Managing Director Hamidreza Nurbakhsh at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall, which hosted government spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht and a number of cultural officials. He lamented the prohibition on female musicians in some Iranian cities. “Why is a woman allowed to study […]
TEHRAN – The 18th edition of Iran’s House of Music Celebration was overshadowed by criticism from Managing Director Hamidreza Nurbakhsh at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall, which hosted government spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht and a number of cultural officials.
He lamented the prohibition on female musicians in some Iranian cities. “Why is a woman allowed to study music but she cannot perform,” he asked.
He also criticized Iranian websites for the illegal uploading of the works by Iranian musicians and said that many veteran musicians are reluctant to produce works due to the lack of a copyright law in the country.
He called Iranians a lawful people and censured the state-run Iranian television over its negligence in educating people on copyrights.
Nurbakhsh announced a plan to establish an office to protect the rights to musical products in Iran in the near future.
The House of Music Celebration is organized annually to honor Iran’s top musical products.
“Shall Live in Love” from vocalist Vahid Taj was selected as best album in the Iranian traditional music category. Majid Molania is the composer of the collection.
“Subdued” by vocalist Homayun Shajarian received the best album of the year in the Iranian dastgah music category. The collection has been composed by Sohrab Purnazeri.
In the classical music section, “A cappella” from Damour band was named best album.
A number of musicians received lifetime achievement awards while the organizers also paid tribute to several musical figures who passed away over the past year.
