Persian
musician with new 'Vision'
By
Lauren Nelson
On-line Forty-Niner
Persian
musician, Manoochehr Sadeghi, recently
performed at the Smithsonian Institute
after receiving a prestigious National
Endowment for the Arts National Heritage
Fellowship. After working ten years
with a master teacher and becoming a master
himself, Sadeghi had a vision to come
to America. When he left Iran in 1964,
he knew he had a purpose.
"I
was going to use my music to bring peace
to this planet," he said.
Peace
between cultures and countries is something
that has inspired Sadeghi to perform and
create music. He has developed a musical
style that every group of people can benefit
from. Sadeghi knows that he can't
create world peace alone, but through
music, he can do his part.
While
learning to play the santur, other musicians
told Sadeghi to practice under the influence
of opium, but his religion did not permit
the use of substance drugs.
Sadeghi
said that he has learned to get drunk
from his own music. He said he had to
depend on his faith to be able to attain
the type of ability he has learned.
Most
people say that Sadeghi's music has the
power to make you laugh, cry, sleep or
slip into absolute tranquility.
He received an e-mail from a woman who
was listening to his album, "Vision,"
and decided she wanted to have another
child.
"I
take people's moods to different places
when I want. It [the music] touches a
deeper sense of self."
What
Sadeghi loved most about his music is
the improvisational aspect.
"I have the free choice of expressing
myself and that's the most beautiful part
for me."
Sadeghi
said he gets to express himself through
the music that touches other people's
lives. Sadeghi gives santur lessons
in his home as well as at the Nakiska
Music Institute, which he founded.
As well as teaching how to play the santur,
a very complex instrument much like the
hammer-dulcimer, he said he is like a
father to many of his pupils.
"I
have a profound effect on their lives
and personality."
The
santur is an instrument unlike other instruments.
For Persians, the artistry of the santur
requires severe detail, and careful yet
perfect training. It also requires
a good ear and good pitch. These are qualities
that Sadeghi has mastered through years
of working with a master and 19 years
spent teaching in a Persian conservatory.
Manoochehr
Sadeghi is not only respected for his
musical skills and passion for students
willing to become artists, but he was
also a professor at UCLA. There he taught
Persian classical music and theory in
UCLA's department of ethnomusicology.
Sadeghi
was the first Persian musician awarded
the National Endowment for the Arts because
of his outstanding contributions toward
folk and traditional art. Now considered
a master traditional artist, he represents
the highest standards of excellence as
a santur musician.
He
has invented a way to infuse Persian and
Indian classical music together.
"The
music can be understood by everybody.
It's a world music idea."
It
is the hope of Sadeghi that all viewers
of all nationalities will have a chance
to learn about a kind of music that has
a radiant beauty.
EVENT
LISTING
What:
"Vision"
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: The Japan America Theater
244 South San Pedro St Los Angeles, CA
Ticket information
(213) 212-4100
