Iranian Symphony
This article from THE NEW YORK TIMES has this to say about Iran's "Peace and Friendship Symphony:"
And the music? Suffice it to say that some Iranian musicians, not orchestra members, reportedly complained beforehand that the work wasn’t good enough to export. They were right. Scored for orchestra, chorus and male solo singer, with an electric guitar, amplified piano and battalion of harpists thrown in to increase the racket, the symphony approximates brief melodies in between lengthy drum assaults by burgling hints of “Dr. Zhivago” and “Lord of the Rings” along with Vivaldi and “Fiddler on the Roof.” Otherwise, for the better part of 75 minutes, a whole team of percussionists gravely beat the bejesus out of a variety of very loud drums, to unintentionally (and increasingly) comic effect.
Was the reporter exaggerating? Decide for yourself, in 2 parts!
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