Anoushiravan Rohani

Anoushiravan Rohani, also spelled Anooshiravan Rowhani (born 1939 in Iran), is an Iranian pianist and composer. His style is contemporary and he is well known for composing and conducting classical, as well as pop music.

Early life

Born in Rasht, in the Gilan Province of Iran in 1939, Anoushiravan received music lessons from his father Reza Rohani, himself a poet and violinist. His brothers, Shardad Rohani and Ardeshir Rohani and Shahriar Rohani are also an accomplished musicians.[1]

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.[2]

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.

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,"(lyrics by Nozar Parang)[1] The Iranian version of the "Happy Birthday" song is undoubtedly the most often-played Iranian song.

When Anoushiravan was only nine years old he had his first song broadcast on Iranian National Radio network. And by the time he was a teenager he started to get larger Iranian media attention for his musical talents.[2]

Later works

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 record label.

Anoushiravan musical achievements were not recognized in Iran 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 from his album 'Symphonic Love Melodies'.[2]

Anoushiravan Rohani has written and performed with a plethora of famous Iranian singers. Some of these singers include Vigeun, Marzieh, Pouran, Hayedeh, Mahasti, and Ahdieh, all featured on Tehran-based radio stations and television channels.

What is unique about Anoushirvan's accomplishment is his immense success outside of Iran, where he is much admired among international music circles. 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.

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 at a music festival in Benidorm, Spain for his song Mi Destino (a Spanish version of Soltan e Ghalbha, sung by Rosy Armen).

More recently he has been working with Hanover Opera and Ballet Orchestra in Germany and the fruit of this cooperation has been five live performances of his ballet compositions.

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:

Compilation Albums

Legacy

Anoushiravan Rohani is the composer of the Persian equivalent of the 'Happy Birthday to you' song, entitled "Tavalodet Mobarak" (literally "blessed be your birthday"). It is sung at virtually every Persian birthday party in a large group (Tavalodet Mobarak lyrics are by Nozar Parang).[1]

Anoushiravan's most popular composition may be "Soltan e Ghalbha" (printed as 'Emperor of Hearts' under English labels), the song is from the 1968 Persian romance movie under the same title, starring Mohamad Ali Fardin and Azar Shivah, and Leila Forouhar. Other notable famous compositions are "Gole Sang", "Saraab", "Saal", and "Bahaneh".

Persian music aside, Anoushiravan has also written music for the song "Maybe I Maybe You" by the famous hard rock band, The Scorpions.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Moshkin Ghalam, S: "Tasneef-ha, Taraneh-ha, va Soroud-hayeh Iran Zamin", Khaneh Sabz Tabestan Press, 1378.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Anoushiravan Rohani, Know Him Better". WhatsUpIran.com. Retrieved Aug 19, 2014.

External links