Shahab Paranj | |
|---|---|
 Shahab Paranj in 2014 | |
| Born | 1983 (age 42–43) Tehran, Iran |
| Website | www |
Dr.Shahab Paranj (Persian شهاب پارنج) (born April 17, 1983,Tehran) is an Iranian-American composer and instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. He is considered one of the pioneers among his generation of composers whose composition style integrates Persian and Western composition techniques. Known as atombak virtuoso, he has performed, recorded and collaborated with some of the most celebrated artists worldwid! Paranj is a founder andartistic director of “Du Vert à L’infini” a contemporary music festival in the Franche-Comte region of France. He currently serves as a faculty member at theUCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
Paranj received his firstBM incello performance from theTehran School of Music and a secondBachelor's degree in classical composition fromSan Francisco Conservatory of Music, aMaster's degree fromManhattan School of Music and hisPh.D. at theUniversity of California, Los Angeles, under the tutelage ofDavid Garner,Richard Danielpour, Ian Krouse and David Lefkowitz.[1]
Acclaimed byThe San Francisco Examiner as "impressive",[This quote needs a citation] and byJohn Adams as "unique",[This quote needs a citation] Paranj blends Persian rhythmic and melodic influences with Western texture and form. Recent commissions include works for ensembles such as the Aleron Trio, San Francisco New Music Ensemble, One Great City Duo, MSM symphony orchestra, International Low Brass Trio, Russian String Orchestra and Intersection Contemporary Music Ensemble. He has written the original score for the movieDressage (film), the winner of 2018 feature film in the "Generation" section of theBerlin Film Festival.[citation needed]
Paranj is known for championingPersian classical music and culture throughout the world. His style blends Persian rhythmic and melodic influences with Western texture and form.[2]
A cellist and master of thetombak, he has played on more than 40 albums with musicians all over the world, appearing at more than 100 well known festivals and venues, such asLincoln Center in New York,Théâtre de la Ville in Paris,Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. He has collaborated with ensembles such asShamss Ensemble and soloists such as Persian masterMohammad-Reza Shajarian. Other accomplishments include film scores for independent film companies and a collaboration with artistTaraneh Hemami and Arash Fayez.[3]
