Anoushiravan Rohani
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| Anoushiravan Rohani | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Rasht, Iran |
| Genre(s) | Classical, Persian |
| Years active | 1965 - present |
| Website | Official website |
Anoushirvan Rohani also spelled Anooshiravan Rowhani(1939- ) is an Iranian pianist and songwriter.
Born in Rasht, Iran in 1939, Anoushiravan received music lessons from his father Reza Rohani, himself a poet and violinist. Anoushiravan later studied piano with Javad Maroufi, one of the most famous pianists in the Persian style, at the Persian National Music Conservatory in Tehran.
His passion for the keyboard and piano was so great that in 1963, he imported the very first electronic organ to Iran. Aside from the organ, he is also heard playing the accordion in many of his early works.
Despite many rumors, Rohani is not a Bahá'í. After the Iranian Revolution of 1979, he continued his composing in the Western world, principally based in Los Angeles and Germany, where he recorded albums under the MZM records labels.
His achievement as a Persian musician is not a feat that is held in great regard by Iranians alone. He has worked with a vast number of orchestras worldwide. One such orchestra worthy of being noted is the Czech Symphony Orchestra based in Prague, which performed the orchestral pieces of his album Love Melodies.
Anoushiravan Rohani has written and performed with a plethora of famous Iranian singers. Some of these singers include Marzieh, Pouran, Hayedeh, Mahasti, and Ahdieh, all featured on Tehran-based radio stations and television channels. His songs are commonly resung and remixed by other artists.
Anoushiravan Rohani is the elder brother of Shahrdad, Ardeshir and Shahriyar Rohani.
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[edit] History
Anoushirvan Rohani was born into one of Iran's prominent musical families. His father, the late Reza Rohani Moayed, himself an accomplished musician, was Anoushirvan’s first teacher and mentor. Anoushirvan composed his first song at a tender age of six, which he aptly titled “Avlalin Tango” (“First Tango”). His father wrote the lyrics for the song. By now, the father had fully recognized the prodigious talent of his child and began Anoushirvan’s rigorous training in classical piano under the great Iranian master pianist, Javad Maroofi. In 1948, when Anoushirvan was just nine years old, his song was broadcasted live on the Iranian National Radio network.
Anoushirvan continued his musical education under masters and pioneers of the Iranian music, Javad Maroufi & Rouhallah Khaleghi. By the time he had turned a teenager, the talented Anoushirvan was beginning to be recognized by the Iranian mass media. The reputable Iranian Music magazine in its 10th edition, March 1, 1953 wrote, "Anoushirvan, the 13 year old pianist who is raised by a musical family, is now learning to be a star at National Music Conservatory.” Twenty year later, the same magazine once again recognized Anoushirvan as "The Precious Innovator of Iranian Music.”
Anoushirvan’s deep love for music drew him to other musical instruments. Besides piano, he mastered electronic organ and accordion, and he was first to introduce Iran to electronic organ through his compositions. In 1958, Anoushirvan officially began his long collaboration with the National Iranian Radio. Anoushirvan’s artistry is not limited to the virtuosity of his piano performance. His works eludes classification into conventional categories. Their hallmark is enchanting melodies and chords. Indeed, his musical themes, in spite of their originality, often evoke uncanny familiarity. What distinguishes him as a shining gem in the annals of modern Iranian music is his creative imagination and exquisite inspiration that defines his compositions. His productive career includes over 500 compositions that includes numerous vocals, orchestral music, piano pieces and film scores, among them "Soltan-e-Ghalbhaa", "Dele Kuchuloo," and "Gol- e-Sang." His most famous piece, "Tavalodat Mobarak," the Iranian version of the “Happy Birthday" song is undoubtedly the most often-played Iranian song.
What is unique about Anoushirvan’s accomplishment is his immense success outside of Iran, where he is much admired among international music circles. Indeed, Anoushirvan defines much of his work in the genre of light classical, and a bridge between the Eastern and Western musical traditions. Many of his songs have been performed in different languages in several countries. Indeed, at the end of one of his private concert in June 1978, Edward Heath, the former British prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party, who has served as a guest conductor of The Symphonic Orchestra of Great Britain, in an appreciation letter to Anoushirvan wrote: "I was most impressed with brilliant technique you displayed. The quality and variety of sound you produced from the instrument was most remarkable." Among the many international honors that Anoushirvan has received, he was awarded the first prize in Spain's Music Festival for his song Mi Destino (Spanish version of Soltan-e-Ghalbhaa). More recently he has been working with Hanover Opera and Ballet Orchestra in Germany. The fruit of this cooperation has been five live performances of his ballet compositions. Today, after nearly a half a century Anoushirvan remains energetic and vibrant as ever and is universally recognized as one of Iran’s finest composer, pianist, and electronic organists.
[edit] Selected discography
A great deal of albums he recorded were produced in Iran prior to the Revolution and are rather difficult to find. The albums listed below are from his post-revolutionary compositions:
- Bahaneh (with Leila Forouhar)
- Piano Solo
- Tavalodet Mobaarak
- Reminiscence of Life (1996)
- Reminiscence of Life, Vol. 2 (1996)
- Emperor of Hearts (1996)
- Rangaarang
- Live in Concert
- Love Melodies
[edit] Famous Compositions
Anoushiravan's most popular composition would probably have to be "Soltane Ghalbha", printed as "Emperor of Hearts" under English labels. The song is from the 1968 black and white, Persian romance movie under the same title, starring Mohamad Ali Fardin and Azar Shivah, and Leila Forouhar.
Anoushiravan Rohani is the composer of the Persian equivalent of the 'Happy Birthday' song, entitled "Tavalodet Mobaarak" (literally "blessed be your birthday"). It is sung at virtually every Persian birthday party in a large group.
Persian music aside, Anoushiravan has also written music for the song "Maybe I Maybe You" by the famous heavy metal band, The Scorpions.
Other notable famous compositions are "Gole Sang", "Saraab", "Saal", and "Bahaneh".
[edit] External links
