Bagher Moazen

Thanks to a booming Iranian oil industry, Bagher began a musical journey from which there was no return. Born in the south of Iran he grew up at a time when the oil industry brought Western music and film to this area. Looking to widen his horizons from his roots in traditional Persian music, Bagher fell in love with these new influences. He was captured by the beauty of Western melodies and classical music he heard on film and on radio. His imagination stirred, Bagher began to sing the music he heard.[4]

Bagher first started guitar under Abdullah Mafakher who introduced him to the delights of Spanish music. His next inspiration and teacher was the well-known French musician, Dr. Jean During, who had come to Iran to study Persian music. Later, in 1973, Bagher continued his studies in London. He met Joseph Urshalmi, and studied with him to improve his right-hand technique. Upon the recommendation of Julian Bream, this was followed by three years of intensive study with Timothy Walker. Walker opened Bagher's mind to revolutionary methods of fingering, articulation and interpretation.

Building on this, Bagher continued to refine his knowledge with John W. Duarte.[5]

In 1979, Bagher returned to Iran to become the first teacher of the classical guitar for full-time students at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Later he opened his own school of music. However, by 1985, the political situation became impossible, as music was banned. He left once more to go to Germany and subsequently to Canada. In 1987, Bagher arrived to Canada. After residing in Montreal for 8 months, he moved to and continues to live in Toronto.[6]

Bagher has been teaching music and giving concerts regularly since his arrival in Canada in 1987.

In 2003, Bagher released his CD, Nomad, featuring an international repertoire of music rich in melody and rhythm from composers such as Carlo Domeniconi, Lorca, Paco De Lucia, Roland Dyens, Rak plus his own compositions. This CD was highlighted on CBC's Music and Company, March 19, 2004. Tracks were also broadcast out of London, England at the beginning of June 2005 on the BBC.[12] The CD has become quite popular among classical guitar fans.[13]

Bagher Moazen in 2003 (Photo by Peter Ilias, Toronto)

• The first Iranian guitarist to play at the prestigious Wigmore Hall, London
• The first Iranian guitarist to play for the Guitar Society of Toronto
• The first Iranian guitarist to be interviewed by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• John W. Duarte, in his letter to Bagher, wrote that [Bagher's] music "is a unique amalgam of Eastern and Western music."
• In 1970 Bagher received a gold medal for his outstanding artistic achievement throughout Iran.[14]
• The first guitar instructor of the International Academy of Music in Iran.[15]

As well as performing, Bagher continues to nurture a new generation of classical musicians. He has been teaching for over 35 years, using special methods that accelerate learning and provide maximum enjoyment of the learning process. He also specializes in the Shinichi Suzuki (violinist) method of teaching.[16] Also Bagher was the first instructor to teach guitar in the International Academy of Music in Iran.[17] Moreover, Bagher teaches Tango dance by applying unique teaching methods since 2005.[18][19]

Many of Bagher's guitar students have become professional prestigious guitarists who are currently active in performing well-known complicated pieces at prominent concerts and other events.

Among the long list of his students are: (sorted alphabetically)

• Ali Naraghi[20]
• Alireza Tafaghodi
• Amir Abbas Aliabadi[21]
• Babak Falsafi[22][23]
• Bijan Zelli (www.bijanzelli.com)
• Araz Boghossian
• Bahram Mazloumian
• Dariush Afrasiabi
• Kazem Moazen, Canada
• Babak Mirab
• Kiarash Mohajer
• Maneli Jamal[24]
• Mina Shekarbani
• Mohammad Reza Chitsaz, Germany
• Payam Ashtiani
• Sadegh Moazzen, Germany
• Shahin Alavi[25][26]
• Siamak Valaei

and many more prominent guitarists around the world.

There are many composers who have dedicated their songs to Bagher such as, Alan Torok's Sonata No. 5,[27][28] Dr. Shahin Farhat and Dr. Mehran Ruhani.[29]

Bagher dedicated one of his compositions, Struggle, to Mrs. Simin Behbahani, the great Iranian poet.[30]