Iranian musician Shahrdad Rohani has been invited by the Tehran Symphony Orchestra to be a guest conductor.

He is an expatriate Iranian musician who has conducted several of the world's famous orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra.

Love of his country inspired him to travel back to Iran to work with Iranian musicians and conduct the orchestra.

Last year he was also invited by the Tehran Symphony Orchestra to be a guest conductor and gave several performances which were highly acclaimed.

He is performing in Vahdat Hall this week. The pieces he is performing include "Adagio for Violin and Orchestra" composed by Shahrdad Rohani, which is being performed for the first time in Iran, as well as "Candide Overture" by L. Bernstein, "Peer Gynt Suite" by E. Grieg, "Pavane" by M. Ravel, and "Firebird Suite" by Igor Stravinsky.

The TEHRAN TIMES recently conducted an interview with him. Following is the text of the interview.

Q: What is the status of Iranian musicians in Iran and the world? A: I know some musicians, who are also my friends, who are conducting orchestras and have high positions in foreign countries. For example, one of my friends, Ali Rahbari, used to be the permanent conductor of the Brussels Radio and TV Orchestra for almost 8 years, and now he is the permanent conductor of a Spanish symphony orchestra in Malaga.

Of course, I can mention Iranians who are active in the field of classical music, which is more international.

For example, Parviz Mansouri, who was the Director of the San Francisco Opera House for some years, is Iranian.

These are high positions which Iranian conductors occupy.

I myself was the conductor of COTA Symphony Orchestra in Los Angeles for seven years. For several years I have been working as a guest conductor in different orchestras like the London Symphony Orchestra. I have now been invited to Iran to perform in Tehran.

Q: Do Iranian musicians occupy good positions around the world? A: Well, compared to the musicians of neighboring countries such as Egypt, Iraq and Syria, we can say they occupy better positions, but still they are a few.

Q: Is Iranian music known around the world? A: Well, it is hard to say. The culture and music of a country are affected by several factors. So it can be said that our country still needs time to be recognized around the world.

Q: Iran has cultural cooperation with other countries, such as holding photo, painting, and book exhibitions in foreign countries and Iran.

Does it include music as well? A: This kind of cooperation is sorely needed. To learn from them and to show what we have are really effective. We should try to train great musicians. They should be supported and music should be considered a professional job.

Recognizing it as profession could solve many problems of the youth. It can also promote the development of the culture of a country as well as introduce the culture and nation of a country. So if there is a good program and music is supported by the government there is definitely a bright future for the country's music.

Q: Why is classical music not popular among the youth? A: Well, classical music can be a part of the music program, but they are free and can learn traditional music or even pop as well. There is no need to only learn Western classical music, but since the foundation of that music is proper, a musician can learn much from it and it can help him learn and perform traditional music.

Fortunately, there are many people interested in classical music and they attend concerts in large numbers.

Q: The musicians of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra are mostly young people, as you once mentioned.

How professional are they compared to other orchestras and how do you see the future of music of Iran? A: Naturally, they need experience. They are not very experienced, but they have great potential.

They must be helped and trained properly. I believe that we can send them to foreign countries to perform. They are so talented that they can perform Western music very well in addition to compositions with Iranian themes. Therefore, they can introduce Iranian composers to the world.