The award is presented biennially by the World Music Center Foundation in Seoul and Alizadeh earned the accolade on December 26, 2016.

Iranian Ambassador Hassan Taherian received the award on behalf of Alizadeh from the foundation’s director, Kang Sun-dae, on Thursday. It is a plaque and a cash prize of $10,000.    

In a letter published on Thursday, Alizadeh expressed his thanks to the organizers of the award, which was presented for the first time in 2014 to the French-born Chinese American cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Alizadeh has collaborated with numerous top Iranian and world musicians, including his fellow Iranian legendary vocalist Mohammadreza Shajarian and Armenia’s Djivan Gasparyan.

A recording of a concert by Alizadeh and Gasparyan in Tehran titled “Endless Vision: Persian and Armenian Songs” was one of five Grammy Award nominees for “Best Traditional World Music Album” in 2007.

In 2014, Alizadeh declined to accept the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor award, the highest decoration awarded by the French government, stating that he doesn’t need decorations and that he derives satisfaction from his good name. 

Source:Tehran Times