Jalal Zolfonun
Encyclopedia
Jalal Zolfonun is a master of the setar
, as well a composer and teacher of Persian music.
on the tar.
At the age of 13, Zolfonun enrolled the National School for Iranian Music to study musical theory, composition and technique under Ruhollah Khaleghi
and Musa Khan Maroufi. While he immediately fell in love with setar
, the instrument was not taken seriously in those times. He instead decided to study the tar, while also learning the violin from his brother Mahmoud Zoufonoun
.
In 1967, Jalal Zolfonun was accepted into the faculty of the Fine Arts department of Tehran University, where he would further study the setar with Master Noor Ali Boroumand and Daryoush Saffat.
From then on, he dedicated himself to the delicate instrument. He began combining the techniques of the older masters of Setar
(an Iranian instrument with four metal strings) with his own ingenuity and mystic sensitivity. For the first time, with Iran's leading classical singer Shahram Nazeri
, he founded an ensemble composed of only Setar
players. Later on in 1980s, Zolfonoun and Nazeri's compositions were released in two best-seller albums one of which Gol-e Sadbarg
(which means, One hundred-petalled Rose), is indisputably the best selling album of classical Iranian music ever.
At the same time, Jalal also composed for the Setar
in mind and would prove one of the most expressive, while technically virtuosic players of the instrument. Perhaps most notable of Jalal Zolfonun's contributions to this music is that he showed for the first time the power and versatility of the setar as an ensemble and solo instrument that could fully express the nuances of Persian traditional music in any setting. In fact, since Gol-e Sadbarg
's success, the Setar evolved from the least to the most popular instrument in Iran.
Following the success of Gol-e Sadbarg
, Jalal Zolfonun continued to record a number of other albums on which he is featured as lead soloist, composer and/or ensemble player with a number of well-known singers and musicians with whom he has also toured worldwide.
Zolfonun has also written a seminal book on "Setar Playing / Teaching Method". He lives in Iran, but tours outside in Europe, the US, Canada and Japan with his son, Soheil Zolfonoon, and other musicians.
Setar (lute)
Setar is a Persian musical instrument. It is a member of the lute family. Two and a half centuries ago, a fourth string was added to the setar, which has 25 - 27 moveable frets...
, as well a composer and teacher of Persian music.
Biography
Jalal Zolfonun received his earliest musical training from his father, Habib Zoufonoun, and his older brother, Mahmoud ZoufonounMahmoud Zoufonoun
Ostad Mahmoud Zoufonoun is an accomplished musician in the art of Persian traditional music.-Life and career:...
on the tar.
At the age of 13, Zolfonun enrolled the National School for Iranian Music to study musical theory, composition and technique under Ruhollah Khaleghi
Ruhollah Khaleghi
Rūhollāh Khāleqi , also spelled as Khaleghi, was a prominent Iranian musician, composer, conductor and author.-Education:...
and Musa Khan Maroufi. While he immediately fell in love with setar
Setar (lute)
Setar is a Persian musical instrument. It is a member of the lute family. Two and a half centuries ago, a fourth string was added to the setar, which has 25 - 27 moveable frets...
, the instrument was not taken seriously in those times. He instead decided to study the tar, while also learning the violin from his brother Mahmoud Zoufonoun
Mahmoud Zoufonoun
Ostad Mahmoud Zoufonoun is an accomplished musician in the art of Persian traditional music.-Life and career:...
.
In 1967, Jalal Zolfonun was accepted into the faculty of the Fine Arts department of Tehran University, where he would further study the setar with Master Noor Ali Boroumand and Daryoush Saffat.
From then on, he dedicated himself to the delicate instrument. He began combining the techniques of the older masters of Setar
Setar
SETAR N.V., is the privatised full telecommunications service provider for the island of Aruba. The services provided by SETAR include: telephone, internet and GSM-related wireless services. SETAR also owns Tele Aruba....
(an Iranian instrument with four metal strings) with his own ingenuity and mystic sensitivity. For the first time, with Iran's leading classical singer Shahram Nazeri
Shahram Nazeri
Shahram Nazeri is a contemporary Iranian tenor of Kurdish ancestry who sings classical Persian music from Kermanshah. He is one of Iran's most respected vocalists...
, he founded an ensemble composed of only Setar
Setar
SETAR N.V., is the privatised full telecommunications service provider for the island of Aruba. The services provided by SETAR include: telephone, internet and GSM-related wireless services. SETAR also owns Tele Aruba....
players. Later on in 1980s, Zolfonoun and Nazeri's compositions were released in two best-seller albums one of which Gol-e Sadbarg
Gol-e Sadbarg
Gol-e Sadbarg , meaning The One-Hundred-Petalled-Rose, is one of the most popular albums in the genre of classical Iranian music...
(which means, One hundred-petalled Rose), is indisputably the best selling album of classical Iranian music ever.
At the same time, Jalal also composed for the Setar
Setar
SETAR N.V., is the privatised full telecommunications service provider for the island of Aruba. The services provided by SETAR include: telephone, internet and GSM-related wireless services. SETAR also owns Tele Aruba....
in mind and would prove one of the most expressive, while technically virtuosic players of the instrument. Perhaps most notable of Jalal Zolfonun's contributions to this music is that he showed for the first time the power and versatility of the setar as an ensemble and solo instrument that could fully express the nuances of Persian traditional music in any setting. In fact, since Gol-e Sadbarg
Gol-e Sadbarg
Gol-e Sadbarg , meaning The One-Hundred-Petalled-Rose, is one of the most popular albums in the genre of classical Iranian music...
's success, the Setar evolved from the least to the most popular instrument in Iran.
Following the success of Gol-e Sadbarg
Gol-e Sadbarg
Gol-e Sadbarg , meaning The One-Hundred-Petalled-Rose, is one of the most popular albums in the genre of classical Iranian music...
, Jalal Zolfonun continued to record a number of other albums on which he is featured as lead soloist, composer and/or ensemble player with a number of well-known singers and musicians with whom he has also toured worldwide.
Zolfonun has also written a seminal book on "Setar Playing / Teaching Method". He lives in Iran, but tours outside in Europe, the US, Canada and Japan with his son, Soheil Zolfonoon, and other musicians.
Discography
- Gol-e SadbargGol-e SadbargGol-e Sadbarg , meaning The One-Hundred-Petalled-Rose, is one of the most popular albums in the genre of classical Iranian music...
(One Hundred-Petalled Flower) with masters Shahram NazeriShahram NazeriShahram Nazeri is a contemporary Iranian tenor of Kurdish ancestry who sings classical Persian music from Kermanshah. He is one of Iran's most respected vocalists...
, Reza GhassemiReza GhassemiReza Ghasemi is an Iranian novelist and musician.He was born in Mahshahr from Isfahanian descent. Besides his excellence in the field of fiction, for which he is so popular, he has an undeniable talent in classical Iranian music. He is a true master of the Persian Lute the Setar. He has composed...
& Bijan Kamkar - Atashi Dar Neyestan (A Fire in the Reed-Bed) with master Shahram NazeriShahram NazeriShahram Nazeri is a contemporary Iranian tenor of Kurdish ancestry who sings classical Persian music from Kermanshah. He is one of Iran's most respected vocalists...
- Parand
- Peyvand
- Kord Bayat (Music of the WorldMusic of the WorldMusic of the World was a World music record label active during the 1990s. Nomad-World Jazz and Latitudes were imprint labels.Albums released on the label are available to purchase through the New York City organization .-Artists:*BeauSoleil...
) - Del Aavaa
- Pearl Beads
- Sheydaee
- Mystic Journey
- 18 Tasnif (Melodic Pieces for Setar)