Turkish maestro chosen as 'principal guest conductor' for Iranian symphony orchestra

Turkish conductor Erol Erdinç has given his first concert with the Tehran Symphony Orchestra as the "principal guest conductor," after the orchestra's world renowned Iranian conductor, Alexander Rahbari, called on him to conduct the orchestra four times and lead a masterclass.

Rahbari, who lived outside of Iran for forty years and returned to Iran to reopen the Tehran Symphony Orchestra in May after four years of closure, chose Erdinç to give four concerts in the 2015-2016 season, head a masterclass of future conductors and accompany them on their world tour. 

Erdinç, who was granted the title among a list of 25 potential candidates, has already given his first concert with the Tehran Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 4 in Iran's capital, conducting the orchestra for Mozart's Requiem. 

Erdinç has 16 students who are candidates to become a conductor and to whom he will give a masterclass, the first one offered to future-conductors in Iran. 

'Tehran orchestra's will to work is great'

Answering daily Hürriyet's questions after his first concert with the orchestra in Iran, Erdinç said the concert had been very successful, both in terms of performance and the presence an audience who appreciated music. 

"I have not seen any orchestra before, including the Leningrad Philharmonic and the Russian State Symphony Orchestra with which I have performed, that has so much discipline," said Erdinç, adding that all of the musicians were Iranian. 

"Their will to work is great. They give all in. Maybe I can only compare them with the Leningrad [Philharmonic] in regards to their discipline. Their behaviors are very kind and they are proud of what they do," Erdinç added. 

Erdinç will perform with the orchestra in Tehran on...