Tehran, May 5, IRNA – Award-winning Iranian musician and composer Nasser Cheshmazar passed away due to a heart attack in Tehran on Friday.

Cheshmazar, 68, was born in the northwestern city of Ardebil and began learning music from his father Ismail and picked accordion as his first instrument.

The composer leaves behind a trail of much-touted film music, which snatched him two Golden Simorgh accolades in Iran’s iconic Fajr Film Festival.

He composed 22 film scores during his lifetime.

He was also awarded with the top prize for his score for the ‘Estranged Sisters’ movie at the Malaysian Film Festival 15 years ago.

His most memorable scores include ‘Rain of Love’, ‘Rising’, ‘Sleep’, ‘Awaiting’, ‘Freedom’, ‘Rain of Happiness’, ‘Tehran’s Nights’, ‘Tehran’s Blossoms’ and ‘Dawn of Love’.

In an interview with ISNA, Cheshmazar had criticized ‘repetitive’ styles of music performed in the country.

He had said that such works rely too much on technology and their contents lack a strong melody and are not romantic.

He contended that contemporary composers might be either ‘inexperienced’ or ‘unable’ to produce beautiful melodies and seek to copy musical performances.

The veteran composer was also critical of Iran’s movie industry. He had said that Iran’s cinema imitates foreign films adding that producers are only obsessed with earning money.

Condolences

Messages of condolence began to pour in following the death of distinguished Iranian composer.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi expressed grief over Cheshmazar’s death describing him as a promoter of ‘rich’ and ‘original’ contemporary music.

The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance also voiced regret over the composer’s death hailing his instrumental music as memorable.

Source: Iran Daily

9417**1396

Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish