‘Ali Riza Izadi

Izadi, ‘Ali Riza (1936-), violinist performing in the Gulha orchestra. He studied music at the National Music School (Hunaristan-i Musiqi-yi Milli) under the directorship of Ruhu’llah Khaliqi and was one of its first graduates (1947-1957). He performed in radio orchestras as a young musician and was regarded as a talented orchestra member capable of performing Persian music with the western instrument, the cello. He performed in the Tehran Symphonic Orchestra and in the Iranian Radio and Television orchestra (founded in 1950). Consequent to the closing down of musical activities in Iran following the revolution, he emigrated to Austria in 1980, where to date he has been residing. His name is heard mentioned by the announcer at times in the credits for the Gulha-yi Rangarang programmes. His performance in the Gulha orchestra reflects the wealth of talent of a very young musician, a talent which many skilled instrumentalists performing on the cello in Persian music today have yet to attain.