Irvine, California-based Pacific Symphony is exploring an Iranian musical tradition that it hopes to make an annual part of its season, part of its on-going efforts to offer engaging programs for audiences in its diverse community. The orchestra is partnering with the Los Angeles-based Farhang Foundation for a March 24 concert celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in a program including classical Iranian music and performers as well as works by Khachaturian and Dvorak, and this Saturday (3/9 at 7 pm) on A Tempo, host Rachel Katz will speak with Pacific Symphony President John Forsyte and Farhang Executive Director Alireza Ardekani about the concert, and also about Farhang's Nowruz March 10 festival at UCLA that will feature a concert by Parisa, considered the "Grand Dame" of Iranian classical music.
