Musical diplomacy's perfect harmony

Iranian conductor Alexander Rahbari rehearses with the China Philharmonic Orchestra in Beijing to prepare for the upcoming joint concert in Iran. Jiang Dong/China Daily

"Then we started marathon discussions on the details. At first they said no to women musicians. Then they said yes but that the women must wear black headscarves. They then asked for an all-Chinese repertoire, and finally agreed that some Russian pieces could be played."

A few months ago, Li says, the Iranian-Austrian conductor Alexander Rahbari, whose voice has a ready ear at the highest echelons of the Iranian government, joined discussions and they almost immediately seemed to move up a key.

Rahbari first conducted the Teheran Symphony Orchestra about 40 years ago, before the Islamic revolution, when the orchestra was in its heyday and hosted the likes of the violinist Yehudi Menuhin and the choreographer Maurice Bejart.

Rahbari left Iran in 1976 and did not return for another 30 years. In 2005 he was invited to rebuild the Teheran Symphony Orchestra but turned down the offer on political grounds. But eight years later, when Hassan Rouhani was elected Iran's president, he promised to revive the 80-year-old orchestra and invited Rahbari back.

Five months ago, Rahbari says, when he was conducting in Antalya, Turkey, he received a fresh offer.

"I said 'OK, now's the time go', and I flew to Teheran within two days. That's because Rouhani is only the second president in the world who has talked about the symphony orchestra with me."

When he heard that the China Philharmonic was to play in Teheran, he says, he inquired about the possibility of the two orchestras performing together. In practical terms that means some members of the Teheran orchestra will take the place of their counterparts in the Chinese orchestra.

An enthusiastic Rahbari says: "The idea is mine, and I've been pushing it. It's a picture for the world to observe, one that says, 'This is peace and this is music.' Misunderstanding evaporates"

Li says he initially had strong reservations about the idea but finally concluded it could work and says it will underline the importance of Chinese musicians respecting Islamic customs during the visit.