TEHRAN – Manuchehr Sahbai has been selected as the new conductor of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra.

The Rudaki Foundation, which manages the orchestra, announced on Sunday that Sahbai has been chosen to hold the position.

In a written order, Mehdi Salem, the CEO of the Rudaki Foundation, expressed his confidence in Sahbai’s abilities and urged him to continue to improve the orchestra's performance and reputation.

Sahbai replaced Nasir Heidarian who was selected for the position in 2022. 

Sahbai is a highly accomplished conductor, solo oboist, and PhD holder in Arts and Music who was born in Tehran. He began his music education at the Tehran Conservatory of Music, studying oboe, piano, and composition. After graduating, he worked as a solo oboist for the Tehran Symphony Orchestra and taught at the Conservatory of Music, University of Fine Arts.

Sahbai moved to Europe in 1975 to continue his studies, working with renowned conductors and oboists. He taught at various music schools and held a professorship at the Landeskonservatorium für Vorarlberg in Feldkirch for many years.

Sahbai has also conducted numerous orchestras around the world and written several theses and dissertations on musicology and Iranian symphonic music.

From December 2007 to April 2010, Sahbai was the permanent conductor and artistic director of the Tehran Symphonic Orchestra. 

SAB/