Hossein Tehrani

Hossein Tehrāni (1912 – February 25 1974) (Persian: حسین تهرانی), was an Iranian musician (tonbak player). He is regarded as the father of the modern tonbak.

He was born in Tehran, Iran. At an early age he was going to Zurkhaneh -زورخانه (Iranian Primeval Sport) and was impressed by the big clay vase covered the open bottom with skin called Zarb- ضربZurkhaneh. At age 13 Hossein found the similar type of Zarb Zurkhaneh in smaller size which was called tonbakتنبك and practicing by himself.

Music education

In 1928 Hossein Tehrani became interested in studying music professionally, and took private lessons from Music Master and kamanchehكمانچه player, Hossein Khan Esmailzaded [ [http://www.donbak.co.uk/artists/ostad_hosain_tehrani.htm Donbak.co.uk] ] Hossein was keen to observe different tonbak playing styles so he attended the music classes of master Tonak players such as Reza Ravanbakhsh and Kangarlo. He also wanted to learn more about Iranian Traditional Music, and therefore formed a relationship with the great music master Abolhasan Saba (multi-instrumentalist), from whom he learnt music theory and different aspects of Iranian traditional music. [ [http://www.iranchamber.com/music/htehrani/hossein_tehrani.php Iran Chamber Society: www.iranchamber.com] ]

Music career

In 1940 the first Radio Station was established in Tehran and Hossein Tehrani was an active tonbak player accompany the other musicians in performing live music program. He was a permanent member of National Music Ensemble and National Music association. Hossein Tehrani formed and organized a tonbak players ensemble [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KWyjJ1vbcc] (7 members) and performed several pieces with his group for the first time in the Iranian Music and Art Festival in Shiraz- جشن هنر شیرازand continued performing several concerts in Talar Vahadat, formerly Talar Roudaki.

Hossein by playing Tonbak instrument imitated the real sound of locomotive and Motorcycle and astonished the listeners. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3XUolbdXks&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epefs%2Eus%2Fviewvideo%2Ephp%3Fid%3Do3XUolbdXks YouTube - Tehrani play solo tonbak (lokomotiv) / www.HarmonyTalk.com ] ]

Tutoring career

Hossein Tehrani was a tonbak instructor at the Madrese Aali Mosiqi- مدرسه عالی موسیقی (Music College) and National Music college of Tehran. Hossein innovated a rhythm technique, which involved the tonbak being played in harmony with the saying of Persian phrases, such as Baleh vo Baleh, Baleh Digeh and Yek Sado bisto Panj.

Famous Students

*Siamak Pouian
*Mohammad Esmaili

Publication

Written a book titled Amouzesh Tonbak-ٱموزش تنبك, style and practice the tonbak.

Hossein Tehrani is buried in Tehran, at the Iranian Musicians Cemetery.

Resting place

Hossein Tehrani is buried in the Zahir od-Dowleh cemetery, Darband, Shemiran, Tehran. [Photograph of the grave of Hossein Tehrani, Zahir od-Dowleh cemetery: [http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/27140/2175862420061594669S600x600Q85.jpg] .]

References

*Haghighat, A., Honarmandan e Irani az Aghaz ta Emrooz, Koomesh Publication, 2004, (in Persian)
*Khaleghi, R., Sargozasht e Musighi e Iran, Ferdowsi Publication, 1955, (in Persian) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3XUolbdXks&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epefs%2Eus%2Fviewvideo%2Ephp%3Fid%3Do3XUolbdXks]

External links

* http://www.donbak.co.uk/artists/ostad_hosain_tehrani.htm
* [http://www.iranchamber.com/music/htehrani/hossein_tehrani.php Biography of Hossein Tehrani on Iran Chamber Society: www.iranchamber.com]
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KWyjJ1vbcc
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHTJxVXUrCA&mode=related&search=
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3XUolbdXks&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epefs%2Eus%2Fviewvideo%2Ephp%3Fid%3Do3XUolbdXks