TEHRAN (MNA) -- National Orchestra of Iran conductor Farhad Fakhreddini is convinced that a musician needs to be appreciated and be assured that whatever he makes is respected. Speaking to the MNA on Saturday, he said, “A host of good poets, musicians or singers emerge in a certain era. It means when a society shows its need and offers encouragement, such artists appear.”

Asked why eternal works are less these days, he said, “A good work is created in good conditions. These days, state radio and TV broadcast songs without mentioning the composer and the singer. Sometimes music is used to fill the gap between the programs and this means ignoring the artist, art, and culture.

“Today, man is dealing with the problems of traffic and air pollution and his mind and body are in danger. Actually, exhaustion is one of the problems of today’s man. People were happier in the past and therefore could create better works. But today, they are less happy, so they cannot make great pieces of art.

“Of course, this problem is not limited to Iran. Today, the whole world is facing such a problem. And this is because of modern standards of living.

“There is no better entertainment than music in life as it can bring peace and tranquility to life. Of course in the past there was much more spare time and a radio program filled the leisure time. People used to become familiar with music through listening to these kinds of programs and learnt more about the poetry and literature of their country more.

“If we compare how much is spent for making a piece of music and how much a musician gets paid, we find out that the amount is meager.

“I do not disagree with football matches on TV as I even sit and watch the games, but we should know that how much is invested on football for two hours of entertainment, while a good song can play a better role in entertaining people. A good song is murmured by people for over forty or fifty years.

“To me, the cost of music is the lowest when compared with other fields. If the government allocates subsidy for music, some part of its problem is solved,” he said.