Ahmad Pejman ( ; born 1935), also spelled as Ahmad Pezhman, is an

Iranian Iranian () may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Iran ** Iranian diaspora, Iranians living outside Iran ** Iranian architecture, architecture of Iran and parts of the rest of West Asia ** Iranian cuisine, cooking traditions and practic ...

contemporary Contemporary history, in English-language historiography, is a subset of modern history that describes the historical period from about 1945 to the present. In the social sciences, contemporary history is also continuous with, and related t ...

classical

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

who resides in the United States. Pejman is notable for his works in opera, symphonies, and music for film.

Biography

Born in 1935 in

Lar, Iran Lar () is a city in the Central District (Larestan County), Central District of Larestan County, Fars province, Fars province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Demographics Ethnicity Lar's inhabitants are Larest ...

, Pejman was exposed to the sounds and rhythms of southern Iran from an early childhood. In high ,school he started

violin The violin, sometimes referred to as a fiddle, is a wooden chordophone, and is the smallest, and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in regular use in the violin family. Smaller violin-type instruments exist, including the violino picc ...

lessons with Heshmat Sanjari and music theory with Hossein Nassehi. As a young violinist with the

Tehran Symphony Orchestra The Tehran Symphony Orchestra (TSO, ), founded in 1933, is Iran's oldest and largest symphony orchestra. It was founded as the Municipality Symphony Orchestra by Gholamhossein Minbashian, before entering its modern form under Parviz Mahmoud in 194 ...

, he was awarded a scholarship to study composition at the Music Academy in Vienna. He studied composition with Thomas Christian David,

Alfred Uhl Alfred Uhl (5 June 1909 – 8 June 1992) was an Austrian composer, violist, music teacher and conductor. Biography Uhl was born in Vienna and studied with Franz Schmidt at the Vienna Music Academy, receiving a diploma in composition with honour ...

, and

Hans Jelineck Hans may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Hans (name), a masculine given name * Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician ** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans ** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi a ...

Friedrich Cerha Friedrich Cerha (; 17 February 1926 – 14 February 2023) was an Austrian composer, conductor, and academic teacher. His ensemble in Vienna was instrumental in spreading contemporary music in Austria. He composed several operas, beginning with ...

As a first year student at the Academy, Pejman's compositions were performed by the

Vienna Chamber Orchestra The Vienna Chamber Orchestra (Wiener Kammer Orchester, or WKO) is an Austrian chamber orchestra based at the Vienna Konzerthaus. History The WKO was founded in 1946, and its first artistic directors were Franz Litschauer, Heinrich Hollreiser, P ...

and his orchestral work ''Rhapsody'' was performed by the

Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra (German: ''ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien'', or RSO Wien) is the orchestra of the Austrian national broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF). Unlike most other Austrian orchestras, the RSO Wien has a sub ...

. In his third year as a student, he was commissioned to write the first Persian Opera ''Rustic Festival'' for the opening of the Tehran Opera house, Rudaki Hall. Upon graduation from the Academy of Music in Vienna, Pejman returned to Iran in 1968, where he was commissioned to write the opera Hero of Sahand ( Delāvar-e-Sahand) which was based on legendary Persian hero

Babak Khorramdin Bābak Khorramdin (, , from , ''Pāpak/Pābag''; 795 or 798 – January 838) was one of the main Iranian revolutionary leaders of the Iranian Khorram-Dinān ("Those of the joyous religion"), which was a local freedom movement fighting the Abbasi ...

. The opera was premiered at Roudaki Hall in 1968. Between 1969 and 1978, Pejman continued to compose symphonic works, operas, ballets, and also wrote many scores for motion pictures and television programs. In 1976, three years before the Iranian revolution, Pejman moved to New York, where he entered

Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...

's Doctorate of Music program in New York and continued his studies with Buelant Arel,

Vladimir Ussachevsky Vladimir Alexeevich Ussachevsky (November 3, 1911 in Hailar, China – January 2, 1990 in New York, New York) was a Russian-American composer, particularly known for his work in electronic music. Biography Vladimir Ussachevsky was born in ...

and

Jack Beeson Jack Hamilton Beeson (July 15, 1921 – June 6, 2010) was an American composer. He was known particularly for his operas, the best known of which are '' Lizzie Borden'', ''Hello Out There!'', and ''The Sweet Bye and Bye''. Early life Born in Munc ...

. In 1984, Pejman moved to Los Angeles and continued to compose and arrange music for jazz and pop ensembles, and motion pictures Threat, 1985. In 1992, Pejman was commissioned to write a cantata for choir and orchestra for the liberation of

Khorramshahr Khorramshahr (; ) is a city in the Central District of Khorramshahr County, Khuzestan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is also known in Arabic by the local ethnically Arab population as Al-Muhamma ...

. He was then commissioned to write music for a musical theater to be performed at

Vahdat Hall Vahdat () is a city in western Tajikistan, on the bank of the Kofarnihon River, 21 km east of Dushanbe. It was previously called Yangi-Bozor (1927–1936), Orjonikidzeobod (1936–1993, after Grigoriy Ordzhonikidze) and Kofarnihon (1993–2 ...

(previously called Rudaki). Since 1993, Pejman has been writing film music, composing for the orchestra and choir and releasing various soundtracks and CDs.

Compositions

Pejman has written orchestral works, operas, film scores, ballet pieces, and popular music. *

Concerto A concerto (; plural ''concertos'', or ''concerti'' from the Italian plural) is, from the late Baroque era, mostly understood as an instrumental composition, written for one or more soloists accompanied by an orchestra or other ensemble. The ...

for nine instruments 1964 (''Student at Music Academy in Vienna'') * Rhapsody for orchestra 1965 (''Student at Music Academy in Vienna'') *

Sonata In music a sonata (; pl. ''sonate'') literally means a piece ''played'' as opposed to a cantata (Latin and Italian ''cantare'', "to sing"), a piece ''sung''. The term evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms until th ...

for viola and piano (1966) (''Student at Music Academy in Vienna'') * Parsian

Overture Overture (from French ''ouverture'', "opening") is a music instrumental introduction to a ballet, opera, or oratorio in the 17th century. During the early Romantic era, composers such as Beethoven and Mendelssohn composed overtures which ...

(1966) (''Student at Music Academy in Vienna'') * Rustic Festival, Opera in one act for the opening of Rudaki Opera house,1967 * The Hero of Sahand, Opera in 2 acts, 1968 * The Illumination, Ballet, 1969 * Samandar,

Opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...

in three acts, 1970 * Baba Barfi, Children Music, 1971 * Gol Omad, Bahar Omad, Children Music, 1971 * Music for Poems of Nima Youshij, recited by Ahmad Shamlou, 1972 * Chamber Music for Santoor and Tombak, 1972 * Ballet-Impressions, 1973 * Ayyaran, Ballet for Persian Instruments, 1974 * Symphonic Sketches, 1975 * Hemmaseh, Ballet (performed by Manchester Ballet Company 1976 * 3 Pieces for Jazz Ensemble 1980 * Music Arrangement and Pop compositions 1988-1991 * Khorramshahr, Cantata for soloist, chorus and orchestra 1992 * Mokhtar, Musical Theater 1993 * Seven Hurdles of Rostam, Ballet 1996 * Resurrection, Oratorio Mosfilm Orchestra Moscow Academy Choir 2007 * Sohrab, Music for Soloist, Choir and Orchestra (on

Sohrab Sepehri Sohrab Sepehri ( 7 October 1928 – 21 April 1980; ) was a notable Iranian poet and painter. He is considered to be one of the five most famous Iranian poets who have practiced modern poetry alongside Nima Youshij, Ahmad Shamlou, Mehdi Akhav ...

poems 2009 * Shadows of the Sun 2010 (to be released on Hermes Records 2010) * Norooz Symphony in 5 movements 2011 *

Divertimento (; from the Italian '' divertire'' "to amuse") is a musical genre, with most of its examples from the 18th century. The mood of the '' divertimento'' is most often lighthearted (as a result of being played at social functions) and it is generally ...

in 4 movements for String Orchestra 2016 * Parsava - 5 movements for solo piano 2016 * Sarzamin Delavaran (Land of the Brave) 2017

Film and television

* Sadeh Celebration, Film Music Askari-Nasab director, 1971 * Daliran Tengestan TV series, Homayoon Shahnavaz director 1973 * Shazdeh Ehtejab Film Music,

Bahman Farmanara Bahman Farmanara (; born 23 January 1942) is an Iranian film director, screenwriter, and film producer. He is best known for his films '' Smell of Camphor, Scent of Jasmine'' (2000), '' A House Built on Water'' (2001), and '' A Little Kiss'' (20 ...

, director, 1974 * Tall Shadows of the Wind Film Music,

director 1977 * Made in Iran aka Sakhte Iran Film Music,

Amir Naderi Amir Naderi (, , born 15 August 1946, in Abadan) is an Iranian film director, screenwriter, and photographer. He is best known for '' The Runner'' and '' Vegas: Based on a True Story''. Career Amir Naderi grew up in Abadan, a working-class port ...

director, 1978 * Crossroads of Civilization TV series,

David Frost Sir David Paradine Frost (7 April 1939 – 31 August 2013) was an English television host, journalist, comedian and writer. He rose to prominence during the satire boom in the United Kingdom when he was chosen to host the satirical programme ...

producer 1978-1979 * Veiled Threat Film Music,

Cyrus Nowrasteh Cyrus Nowrasteh (Persian language, Persian: سیروس/کوروش نورسته; ; born September 19, 1956) is an American filmmaker. He has worked on numerous television series and Television movie, made-for-TV movies including ''The Day Reagan W ...

director, 1986 * Checkpoint Film Music

Parviz Sayyad Parviz Sayyad (; born 22 March 1939) is an Iranian Americans, Iranian-born celebrated actor, director and screenwriter of Iranian cinema. He was one of the earliest television stars in Iran. Early life Parviz Sayyad was born on March 22, 1939 ...

Director, 1987 * The Actor, Film Music

Mohsen Makhmalbaf Mohsen Makhmalbaf (, ) (born May 29, 1957) is an Iranian film director, writer, film editor, and producer. He has made more than 20 feature films, won 50 awards, and served as a juror in more than 15 major film festivals. His award-winning films ...

director, 1993 * Zinat Film Music Ebrahim Mokhtari director, 1993 * Kimia Film Music Mohammad Reza Darvish director, 1995 * The Blue Veiled Film Music, Rakhshan Bani Etemad director 1995 * Iranair documentary - Film Music Mostafa R. Karimi 1997 * Friendly Persuasion Film Music Jamsheed Akrami director 1999 * Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine Film Music,

2000 *

Baran __NOTOC__ Baran may refer to: * Baran (name) Places Europe * Baran, Belarus, a town * Baran, Lublin Voivodeship, a village in Poland * Baran, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, a village in Poland * Uroczysko Baran killing fields near Kąkolewnica, Pol ...

Film Music

Majid Majidi Majid Majidi () is an Iranian filmmaker and producer. In his films, Majidi has touched on many themes and genres and has won numerous international awards. Biography Born in a Persian middle-class family, he grew up in Tehran and at the age of 1 ...

director 2001 * Along the Wind Documentary film music Manouchehr Tayyab director 2001 * A House Built on Water Film Music

director 2002 * Astan Ghods Razavi Documentary Film Music Manouchehr Tayyab director 2003 * A Little Kiss Film Music

Director, 2005 * The Willow Tree Film Music

Director 2005 * Sea of Pars Documentary Film Music Manouchehr Tayyab director, 2006 *

Alborz The Alborz ( ) range, also spelled as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran that stretches from the border of Azerbaijan along the western and entire southern coast of the Caspian Sea and finally runs northeast and merge ...

Documentary Film Music Manouchehr Tayyab director, 2011

Recordings

* Hameh Shahre Iran (Ethnic Music of Iran) - Naydavood Records * Jing-o-jing-e saaz - Alladin Records * Eternal River - Alladin Records * Symphonic Sketches - Alladin Records * Tigress - Alladin Records * Memories of Tomorrow - Hermes Records * Mirage - Hermes Records * Lunatic - Hermes Records * Haft Khan Rostam - MZM Records

Tribute

"Resurrection concert" or "A Persian Night with

Vancouver Opera Vancouver Opera is the second largest performing arts organization in British Columbia and the largest opera company in western Canada. Its mainstage performances occur in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, other venues in Vancouver and occasionally el ...

Orchestra featuring Vancouver Bach Choir was held at Orpheum theatre in

Vancouver Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...

on January 20, 2019 to pay tribute to Ahmad Pejman. The creator director and producer of the concert was Mohammad Fazlali. For the very first time in

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

, 150 Professional musicians graced the magnificent Orpheum Theatre to perform masterpieces by renowned Iranian composers on the Persian Night concert. Three movements of

Symphonic Poem A symphonic poem or tone poem is a piece of orchestral music, usually in a single continuous movement, which illustrates or evokes the content of a poem, short story, novel, painting, landscape, or other (non-musical) source. The German term ( ...

" Sudden Resurrection" composed by Ahmad Pejman were performed in this concert, conducted by Leslie Dala. This concert was World live premier of "Sudden Resurrection". Ahmad Pejman was present in the concert. Pieces from other Iranian composers;

Loris Tjeknavorian Loris Haykasi Tjeknavorian (; ; born 13 October 1937) is an Iranian Armenian composer and conductor. He has appeared internationally as a conductor, serving as the principal conductor of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra from 1989 to 1998 and ...

, Hooshang Kamkar,

Homayoun Khorram Ostad Homayoun Khorram (), (June 30, 1930 – January 17, 2013) was an Iranian musician, composer, violinist, and a member of the high council of Iran's house of music. Khorram began his music career as a violinist at the age of 10 by participa ...

, Gholamhossein Minbashian, Fardin Khalatbari,

Mahyar Alizadeh Mahyar Alizadeh (; born 5 January 1982) is an Iranian musician, composer, singer and Taar player. After graduating from Alborz High School, he continued his career in music university and after that, decided to study in foreign universities. Fi ...

, Ramin Jamalpour, Saman Samimi were in the repertoire of the concert as well.

Alireza Ghorbani Alireza Ghorbani (; born 4 February 1972) is an Iranian traditional vocalist. Biography He began his career by reciting the Quran. Soon he started eagerly learning traditional Iranian music. In 1984, he was fascinated by compilations of poetr ...

and Talin Ohanian were Vocalists in this concert.

References

External links

* Ahmad Pejmanat

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

* * http://www.iranian.com/Music/Pejman/index.html {{DEFAULTSORT:Pejman, Ahmad 1937 births Iranian classical composers Iranian classical violinists Iranian emigrants to the United States Iranian film score composers Living people 21st-century classical violinists Columbia University School of the Arts alumni University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna alumni