Houshang Zarif, Iran's prominent tar player, dies at 81
A master of tar and Persian classical music, Houshang Zarif, has passed away at the age of 81.
Zarif started learning music at the Persian National Music Conservatory under the supervision of Ruhollah Khaleqi, Ali-Akbar Shahnazi, Javad and Mousa Maroufi, some of the leading figures in Iran's music history.
He debuted his musical career by performing at the Iran National Orchestra and Saba Orchestra. Among his noted performances is playing as a member of Maestro Faramarz Payvar’s troupe in many European and Asian countries.
Zarif played the tar for 20 years in music programs on national TV and radio and also performed in different cities around Iran as well as in the US, Russia, Canada, Japan, France, England, Germany, Italy and Egypt, just to name a few.
Zarif devoted more than 50 years of his life to teaching music and trained many students, including such notable musicians as Hossein Alizadeh, Dariush Talai and Hamid Motebassem.
In 1973, he traveled to the US and visited many musical university faculties to introduce and teach Persian classical music.
He was also skilled player of the setar and tombak.
Zarif has authored and compiled several books in the area of music education and history.
In the 1990’s, Zarif was awarded the high-status “First Order of Culture and Art” by the Iran Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance which is equivalent to a doctoral degree.
At the 35th Fajr International Music Festival, Iran's most prestigious music festival, a special ceremony was held to honor and acknowledge his contributions to Persian classical music.
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