Compositions

The thesis for the Master of Music degree in Composition consists of live performances of original works composed during graduate study. The student is expected to have written and have performed approximately an hour of music for various media. My compositions were performed on: Apogee on November 10, 2005, by Mark McGregor in Recital Hall. Prelude to Certitude on April 3, 2006, by VSO in Orpheum. Of Life and Love on March 18, 2006 by Turning Point Ensemble in Western Front. Asheghaneh on September 30, 2006 by VICO IN Chan Center. Beyond on March 31 2007 by Morgan Zentner in Recital Hall. This compilation, despite the variety of medium, clearly represents my interest in contemporary classical vocabulary, spectral analysis, and extended techniques, as well as the precious universal heritage of ethnic music. Shapes and forms of these pieces though representative of contemporary composition, has aesthetic roots in various ethnic arts, especially in their frequent use of non-western ratios. The pitch material despite its occasional resemblance to existing traditional music is derived from synthetic modes, which combines a number of divergent elements including Indian raga, Persian gushe and Varesian techniques. I have adapted a harmonic language, which is derived from spectral analysis of few Persian instruments, including Tar and Santur. This bimodal harmonic language is often ornated with a modal counterpoint, which has its roots in different ethnic modes. In other words, not only the structure and plan but also the content of these pieces conveys intercultural elements.Arts, Faculty ofMusic, School ofGraduat