Farhang Sharif

Farhang Sharif (c. 22 March 1931 – 7 September 2016) was an Iranian musician and renowned tar player.

Biography
Farhang Sharif learned music under the mentorship of his father starting at a young age. He learned to play tar with maestros Abdolhossein Shahnazi and Morteza Neidavoud, two masters of tar who lived during the Qajar and Pahlavi periods. As a result, he performed his first radio solo at the age of 12. Sharif has collaborated with notable musicians such as Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, Akbar Golpayegani, Gholam Hossein Banan, Iraj and Mahmoud Khansari. He also performed at Berlin's music festival. He made his first solo performance in a live radio program at the age of 12. Sharif is considered one of the greatest tar players and traditional composers of modern Iranian history. He is often referred to as "ostad" which means "master" in Persian. He Owing to restrictions in the sphere of musical activities following the Revolution, he settled in the United States in 1980. Since his return to Iran in 2000 he has been active both in the domains of performance and teaching. He has also made inventions in the domains of previously undiscovered acoustic tar effects and special tunings. He died of respiratory problem at his home in Tehran at 85 years old. He is one of the most cherished classical Persian musicians whose oeuvre appeals to thousands of Persian and non-Persian lovers of classical Persian music.

Achievements

 * Sharif was awarded the first rank badge of art equal to doctorate degree, by President Mohammad Khatami.