Author: Shahram Ahadi

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Screenshot of the Schiller concert in Tehran on the website schillermusic.com

Electronic music band Schiller in Tehran

The pull of the West

The German electronic music band Schiller is famous worldwide. Its recent visit to Tehran was without doubt one of the concert highlights of post-revolutionary Iran – even though some audience members began to show signs of fatigue halfway through the concert. By Shahram AhadiMore

Persian singer Mamak Khadem: Open to new influencesFilm review: "Raving Iran"Album review: "Dawar" by Trio Chemirani
Ramin Sadighi (photo: Hermes Records)

Interview with Ramin Sadighi from the Iranian music label Hermes Records

The fine line between what is permitted and what is not

Ramin Sadighi, the founder of Iranian world music label Hermes Records, talks to Shahram Ahadi about the constraints on artists in the Islamic Republic, the battle against copyright infringement and what international sanctions mean for his record labelMore

Music and power in Iran: An instrument of propaganda and controlMusicians in Iran: An uphill struggle all the wayIranian musician Shahram Nazeri: The Persian nightingale and the flowers of hope"New Sounds of Iran": Busting geographical and cultural boundaries
Bahman Nirumand (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Interview with Bahman Nirumand

The Pasdaran Holds the Reins of Power

Many consider the Pasdaran, Iran's Revolutionary Guards, to be the real centre of power in Iran. In this interview with Shahram Ahadi, Bahman Nirumand talks about how the role of the Pasdaran in the Islamic Republic has changed in recent years and its possible influence on the presidential electionMore

Iran before the Elections: Hunger Strikes and Love LettersIran in the Run-up to the Presidential Election: Electoral Poker in TehranMohammed Rasoulof's ''Manuscripts Don't Burn'': Iranian Agents as Killers
Kayhan Khalor auf dem Morgenland-Festival in Osnabrück (photo: Morgenland Festival Osnabrück)

Interview with the Iranian Virtuoso Kayhan Kalhor

For the Love of Improvisation

The Iranian Kayhan Kalhor is one of the great virtuosos of the kamancheh, a Persian string instrument. In an interview with Shahram Ahadi, the composer talks about the art of improvisation and how he became a young soloist in IranMore

Iranian Tombak Virtuoso Mohammad Reza Mortazavi: Flying FingersInterview with Mohammad Reza Shajarian: ''Humanity Is What Art Is All About''
Shahin Najafi (photo: © DW/Shahryar Ahadi)

Supposed Fatwa against Iranian Rapper Shahin Najafi

''We Will Continue with Our Work''

Iran's grand ayatollah has issued what many have interpreted to be a fatwa against the rapper Shahin Najafi, who has lived in Germany for the past seven years. In this interview with Shahram Ahadi, Najafi gives his take on the situationMore

''Rock the Kasbah'': Pop Music and Protests in the Islamic WorldThe People Reloaded: ''The Green Movement and the Struggle for Iran's Future''