Piano : Morteza Mahjoobi
Morteza Mahjoubi, according to a general consensus, is the greatest among traditional pianists of Iran. His father, Abbas Qoli, was literarily a tasteful man and was a ney player himself. He had a piano in his house and his wife was familiar with the playing of this instrument. The proper family condition drove Morteza towards music. He sat at the piano and played childlishly tunes. Amazed by the gifts of their son, Morteza's parents sent him to study music with Hoseyn Hang-Afarin. Later he went to continue his studies with Mofakham. His father founded - for the first time - a Café in Lalehzar street in Tehran. There Morteza accompanied his brother, a celebrated violinist, on the piano. In the first concert held in Farus movie theater, Morteza made his debut at the age of 10 by playing piano solo and accompanying Aref, the famous composer of tasnifs who also sang in the concert.
By 1923 he was very famous and regarded as a great pianist in the classical tradition of music. He preserved the techniques of his masters, improved the technique and used a swift fingering. He played Iranian melodies with exceptional mastery and was an elegant and tasteful musician. He composed some pishdaramads and rengs to be performed on the piano which he altered its tuning to compensate with the needs of Iranian music. The well-known poet, Rahi Moayyeri provided the text of many of his tasnifs. Mahjoubi's main profession was always playing and instructing the piano. He was a modest, munificent, but also a nervous and peevish man. Up to now, no one has attained his position in the art of Iranian piano playing. ...
Published [28/08/2001]