TEHRAN -- Iran’s music scene has two upcoming highlights: the release of DAM, an album composed and arranged by Maryam Sharifzadeh and Hami Haghighi, and a concert by the Alnam Orchestra celebrating Azerbaijani music in Tehran.
Released through the cultural and artistic institute Naghmeh Javedan Afarin, with distribution by Javan Publications, DAM features 11 tracks and four vocalists: Soudabeh Amani, Mostafa Mahmoudi, Hadi Feyzabadi and Sharifzadeh.
Created between 2013 and 2025, the album brings together 16 instrumentalists across a diverse musical palette that includes kamancheh, setar, ney, tar, oud, qanun, clarinet, electric and steel guitars, synthesizers and strings.
Sharifzadeh composed and arranged the tracks, while Haghighi handled electronic percussion programming and oversaw recording, mixing and mastering. Ali Boustan served as artistic director and designed the album’s graphics.
The closing track features poetry by Rumi, performed vocally and as spoken word by Sharifzadeh and Haghighi. On “Khoroush,” Sharifzadeh also wrote the text, with Haghighi delivering the spoken-word passage.
Meanwhile, the Alnam Orchestra is scheduled to present “A Night of Azerbaijani Music” at Tehran’s Milad Tower on Tuesday, November 3, with performances listed for 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Led by conductor Vahid Alipour and featuring vocalist Vadud Moazzen, the concert will explore Azerbaijani folk music, works by composers from the region and excerpts from well-known Azerbaijani operas.
The program includes “Lalalar,” “Ala Goz,” “Sana da Qalmaz” and “Liman,” alongside selections from Mashadi Ibad, Arshin Mal Alan and Leyli and Majnun.
The performance will feature the Hamsara Choir under conductor Kiana Khajeh. Bahram Bonyadi will serve as concertmaster and play tar, while Reza Bonyadi will perform kamancheh. Javad Abrahamian is responsible for the arrangements.