In a landmark moment for Iran’s classical music scene, Paniz Faryousefi made history by becoming the first woman ever to conduct the Tehran Symphony Orchestra. The breakthrough performance took place over two nights at Tehran’s prestigious Vahdat Hall, under the concert series titled “Simorgh’s Abode.”

Jazz meets rock, and Out of the Darkness emerges as a bold, genre-defying statement from the brilliant singer and musician Stephanie Bettman. This album presents a collection of 14 original tracks that blend folk, pop, rock, jazz, and Latin influences with fearless creativity and emotional depth. More than just a stylistic experiment, it’s a testament to Bettman’s evolution as an artist—one who dares to push boundaries while staying true to the soul of her storytelling.

Ester Mägi (1922–2021) was one of Estonia’s most distinguished composers, often referred to as the “First Lady of Estonian Music."