Hojat Ashrafzadeh Collaborates in New Schiller Album

Traditional and pop singer Hojat Ashrafzadeh has started collaboration with German electronic band Schiller in its new album.

The German group, named after celebrated poet and dramatist Friedrich Schiller, is led by musician Christopher von Deylen, well known for his ambient and trance music.

He held five concerts in Tehran last December and became the first major non-classical western group to perform in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Due to the excellent past receptions, he returned to Tehran earlier this year in March and performed for three nights.

The good vibes he received from Iranian fans during his first presence inspired him to write his new track dubbed “Berlin-Tehran” which he performed in his second trip to Tehran in March.

Von Deylen visited Iran 12 years ago and because of that in addition to his fathers’ travels, he said he grew up with a very positive image of Iran and that image was only bolstered when he came back to perform.

While in Tehran, the German decided to collaborate with Ashrafzadeh (after listening to his songs), so when he was done with his European tour, he came to Iran to record a new piece with the Iranian singer, Ritmeno.ir reported.

Ashrafzadeh, famous for his hit song “Moon and Fish,” is the winner of Barbad Award for Best Mixed Genre Music Album of the Year.

The duo has recorded a new track for Schiller’s new album, which combines electronic music with Persian songs.

“The collaboration can introduce the Persian traditional style of singing to the world,” said Mostafa Kabiri, concert organizer of Schiller in Tehran.

Founded in 1998, the electronic group was formed by Christopher von Deylen and Mirko von Schlieffen. Their first single was “Glockenspiel”, with great success in Germany. Sometime between 2001 and 2002, von Schlieffen parted ways leaving von Deylen the sole member of the band.

Von Deylen, 47, does not provide vocals for Schiller productions himself and only performs instrumental pieces while vocals are sung by guest artists.