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Both a performer and teacher of classical Persian music and a composer of new pieces in the traditional style, Hossein Alizadeh plays in a style that travels the Silk Road between Iran and India. Neither of his instruments, the tar and the setar, is identical to the Indian sitar, but all three are used for spiraling improvisations on established melodies. For this performance—which anticipates the celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year—Alizadeh will be joined by Kayhan Kalhor on the kemenche (a Persian violin) and Pejman Hadadi on the tombak (a drum). At 7:30 p.m. at the Freer Gallery’s Meyer Auditorium, 12th & Jefferson Dr. SW. FREE. (202) 357-4880. (Mark Jenkins)