Beethoven in Iran

In Tehran, Beethoven IX was performed with the mullahs in the front row, blissfully ignorant of the message of this piece, which was sung in German (thereby probably safeguarding it from being banned).

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/06/tehrans-reborn-symphony-orchestra-an-ovation-before-playing-a-note

Shocking to read that the piece was played under the portrait of Khomeini.

Meanwhile, the influence of Beethoven's music as such is amazing - even in a country like Iran. And it extends even to hair (that's why the ladies protect their hairdo's from Beethoven's blaze):