Famous Japanese musician and composer Masanori Takahashi, known by his nickname Kitaro, will return to Iran after three years to stage a series of concerts in mid-spring.
The concerts are funded by music producer and manager Ali Cheragh-Ali. Hoanronline quoted him as saying that Kitaro’s performance is planned in Tehran and several other cities.
After Kitaro’s last performance in Tehran in October 2014, “we received many requests from the provinces for his concerts. This time we’re expanding his programs beyond the capital. Details about his programs will be announced soon.”
Kitaro’s last performance in Tehran took place on four nights at the Ministry of Interior Auditorium. The new age concerts were warmly welcomed by the audience. At the end of the concert on the fourth night, music enthusiasts gave him standing ovation.
The rapturous applause did not end even after he left the stage. Out of respect for the audience he returned to the stage, waving, bowing, and thanking the crowd; saying good-bye and expressing hope to come back soon. This motivated both the musician and the those in charge to organize another event.
“Permits required for his concerts have been issued by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Tickets will be available online. Fans can expect a special performance by the Japanese legend of new age music,” Cheragh-Ali was quoted as saying.
Dream Come True
Kitaro, 64, is usually accompanied by a keyboard player, a bass guitarist and a drummer. His last concerts in Tehran also featured a violinist and a pianist. Three years back he told his Iranian audience: “today it is a dream come true.” Calling Iran a mainstream of the Silk Road, he said “35 years ago I was drawn to the culture of Iran.” His words drew rare applause.
Kitaro will perform a combination of different styles, from classical tunes to eastern music and Arabic melodies. Other than the songs from his previous albums, he will also perform some new pieces.
After Tehran’s Plasco Tower tragedy in January 2017, Kitaro offered his condolences to the people of Iran. He sympathized with Iranians in an email to Cheragh-Ali. Written by Kitaro and Eiichi Naito, president of Domo Music Group which collaborates with him, the email was addressed to the friends and families of all those who lost their lives in the inferno in central Tehran that brought down the iconic shopping center.
“We would like to express our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their dear ones in the tragic events at the Plasco building in Tehran. To all the brave firefighters and heroes who lost their lives and to their family members, we send our condolences. Our thoughts are with you on this sad occasion,” the message said.
Most Iranians know Kitaro for the beautiful music he made for the documentary ‘The Silk Road.’ Kitaro is one of the most popular and influential new age artists, having sold millions of records and toured across the world numerous times, in addition to winning the Grammy and Golden Globe awards.
His style fuses contemplative, highly melodic synthesizer work with acoustic instrumentation, drawing from Eastern musical traditions as well as folk, classical, and rock influences. He can play the keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, Japanese flute, drums and percussion.
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