Two masters of the art of Iranian musical improvisation: Hossein Alizâdeh (tar, setar, tanbur) and Madjid Khaladj (daf, tombak). Alizâdeh (1951, Teheran, Iran) studied under various masters of the traditional Persian music, from whom he learned the Radif, the old melodies on which the classical music of Iran is based. He is considered as one of the most important figures in contemporary Persian music. Not only is he recognized as a virtuose lute player, but also as an accomplished accompanist to the best singers. Khaladj (1962, Ghazvin, Iran) has earned a place alongside the great masters of Persian classical music with the authenticity of his style and his knowledge of rhythms. He is one of the most distinguished figures in Eastern percussion music. The târ, the most important of the lute-like instruments in Iranian music, and the tombak-drum with its complicated shape, are able to produce an unbelievable musical intensity.