Mohammad-Reza Lotfi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mohammad-Reza Lotfi
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Native name |
محمدرضا لطفی
|
| Born | 1 January 1947 Gorgan, Iran |
| Died | 2 May 2014 (aged 67) Tehran, Iran |
| Genres | Classical Persian music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Tar, setar, kamancheh, daf |
| Years active | 1964–2014 |
| Labels | Avaye Shayda |
Mohammad-Reza Lotfi (Persian: محمدرضا لطفی) was a famous Iranian musician. He was born on January 1, 1947, and passed away on May 2, 2014. Lotfi was especially known for playing the tar and setar. These are traditional Persian string instruments. He worked with many great singers, like Mohammad-Rezā Shajarian.
Contents
Life and Musical Journey
Mohammad-Reza Lotfi started his musical journey with help from his older brother. He quickly learned to play the tar. In 1964, he won first prize at Iran's Young Musicians Festival. This showed everyone his amazing talent.
The next year, he began studying at the Persian National Music Conservatory. He learned from famous teachers like Habibollah Salehi and Master Ali Akbar Shahnazi. Lotfi also played the tar for the Fine Arts Administration Orchestra.
He learned the Radif from Abdollah Davami. The Radif is a collection of old melodies and musical ideas. Master Sa'id Hormozi taught him to play the setar.
Studying and Teaching Music
While at Tehran University, Lotfi became a student of Master Nour-Ali Boroumand. He also worked at a center that aimed to preserve traditional Persian music. There, he performed as a soloist and led musical groups.
Lotfi taught music to children and teenagers. He also researched folk music for National Radio and Television. He even performed at the famous Shiraz Arts Festival. After graduating in 1973, he joined the faculty at Tehran University.
Later Career and Global Performances
Lotfi continued to work with Radio and Television. He also helped create the Shayda Ensemble, a musical group. From 1978 to 1980, he was the head of the School of Music at Tehran University. He also directed the Center for the Preservation of Traditional Persian Music.
In 1984, Lotfi was invited to Italy for concerts and a seminar. He lived there for two years. From 1986 until his death, he lived in the United States. He performed his music all over the world, including Asia, Europe, and North America.
Lotfi was a very productive musician. He made many recordings by himself and with other famous Iranian musicians. These included Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Shahram Nazeri.
Lotfi's Impact on Persian Music
Mohammad-Reza Lotfi is considered one of the greatest masters of the tar and setar. He changed Persian traditional music in important ways. He mixed classical music with folk elements. This made the old traditions feel new and exciting.
His unique creativity and deep emotional playing style were very special. Many people see him as the founder of a new way of thinking about Persian music.
Famous Vocal Works
Mohammad Reza Lotfi created many musical pieces with singers. He often performed with Mohammad Reza Shajarian on the radio and in concerts. He also had many works where he sang himself.
One important performance was a live concert in 1976. Lotfi and Shajarian performed in the Rast-Panjgah mode. This was special because no one had performed in this mode for about 20 years.
Some of his well-known vocal works include:
- Raast-Panjgaah concert with Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Naser Farhangfar in Rast Panjgah (1976).
- In Remember of Aref with Mohammad Reza Shajarian and the Shayda Ensemble (1986).
- Sepideh Album with Mohammad Reza Shajarian and the Sheyda Ensemble.
- Love Knows with Mohammad Reza Shajarian (1981).
- Cheshmeye Noush with Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Mjid Khaladj (1994).
- Vatanam Iran with Mohammad Motamedi and Hamnavazan-e Sheida (2008).
Death
Mohammad Reza Lotfi passed away on May 2, 2014, at the age of 67. He had been suffering from prostate cancer. His death was a sad moment for the world of classical Persian music.
Images for kids
-
Young Lotfi playing the tar
-
Lotfi (second from left) performing in Shiraz Arts Festival with Naser Farhangfar and Shajarian, 1976
-
Mohammad-Reza Lotfi
-
Mohammad-Reza Lotfi playing tar in a concert.
See also
In Spanish: Mohammad Reza Lotfí para niños
- Music of Iran
- List of Iranian musicians
