TEHRAN-Roudaki Hall in Tehran will host the foreign performances of the 39th Fajr International Music Festival (FIMF) which will be held from February 12 to 17.

On Monday night, renowned Armenian pianist and composer Hayk Melikyan will perform a piano recital at the venue, ILNA reported. 

Melikyan, 43, is recognized internationally as one of the most versatile and imaginative performers of the 20th century and contemporary music and among today's most engaging virtuoso pianists by classical music audiences and critics. 

He leads an active concert life, playing throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas on prestigious stages such as Geneva’s Victoria Hall, Lisbon Gulbenkian Grand Auditorium, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, etc.

Melikyan is a laureate of international piano competitions, such as Concours d’Orléans (France), Ibla Grand Prize (Italy), Yvar Mikhashoff Trust for New Music (USA), Premio Valentino Bucchi (Italy), etc. Moscow Composers Union awarded him a gold medal for his contribution and promotion of world contemporary music in 2012. 

As a composer, Melikyan is an author of piano solo, chamber, instrumental, vocal, and symphonic works. The piano transcriptions, concert paraphrases, and arrangements by him are among the favorite ones in the repertoires of many pianists worldwide.

Famous Dutch pianist Nicolas van Poucke, 31, is another participant in this year’s edition of the festival, who will perform on February 14 at Tehran’s Roudaki Hall.

The Dutch musician, acclaimed as a “true poetic musician,” stands among the Netherlands' foremost pianistic talents. With his evocative performances and acclaimed recordings, he epitomizes musical excellence.

Nicolas has performed at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Philharmonie Berlin, Philharmonie Essen. In addition, other tours have taken him to Cuba (Havana Mozart Festival), Korea (Changwon and Tongyeong), Italy, and France.

Musicians and bands from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan will also perform during the music festival.

The Fajr International Music Festival encompasses various sections such as the competitive (Barbad Award), non-competitive, and research sessions.

Organized by the Music Office of the Deputy for Artistic Affairs of Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the 2024 FIMF takes place simultaneously in Tehran as well as other Iranian provinces.

SS/SAB