Amir Pourkhalaji 1983 - Tehran
Amir Pourkhalaji (born January 9, 1983, in Tehran) is a Persian composer, conductor, and musician. Encouraged and supported by his father, he commenced his musical education at an early age, beginning with the violin. Following the completion of his secondary education in music, he pursued advanced studies at the Conservatory of Music and subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Composition with distinction from the University of Art, Tehran, in 2009.
In addition to his artistic endeavors, Pourkhalaji has held teaching positions at the University of Art in Tehran and the Music Conservatory, where he has contributed to the education and mentorship of emerging musicians. He is also the author of several publications in the field of music, reflecting his commitment to academic and theoretical discourse.
Throughout his career, Pourkhalaji has collaborated, both as composer and conductor, with a number of prominent orchestras in Iran and abroad, including the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, the Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra (Bulgaria), the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra of Prague (Czech Republic), the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, and the Iran National Orchestra.
Pourkhalaji’s compositional style, while grounded in the structural and technical foundations of Western classical music, is deeply informed by Persian cultural heritage. His works often draw upon Persian history, literature, mythology, and folk traditions. By integrating modal and melodic elements characteristic of Eastern and Iranian musical systems, he has developed a distinctive artistic language that bridges diverse musical worlds.
His compositions have been presented at numerous international festivals and have received several awards and distinctions, attesting to his recognition within both national and international musical circles.
• Master of arts "MA" in music composition, Tehran University of Art (2009)
• Bachelor of arts "BA" in Viola playing, Tehran Conservatory of Music (2007)
• Upper Diploma in Violin playing, Tehran Conservatory of Music (2003)
• Diploma in the field of Iranian music, Tehran Conservatory of Music (2000)
• Founder and Manager of "Melal Music School" (2012 - present)
• Composer & conductor, the Iran National Orchestra (Rostamzad Concert, Tehran - September 2025)
• Composer & conductor, Prague Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (Czech Republic - October 2016)
• Composer & conductor, Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra (Bulgaria - July 2011)
• University guest lecturer (Film Scoring), Tehran University of Art, Faculty of Cinema and Theater (2016)
• Ballet “Arash the Archer” Tirgan festival, Toronto, Canada (August 2015)
• University lecturer (Harmony, Composition, Viola, Ensemble), Tehran University of Art, Faculty of Music (2010 - 2014)
• Supervision of several projects and Master's thesis, Tehran University of Art, Faculty of Music (2010 - 2014)
• Referee of “MA” and “BA” theses and projects in Tehran University of Art, Faculty of Music (2010 - 2014)
• Violin and Viola teacher, Tehran Conservatory of Music (2010 - 2011)
• Collaboration with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Tehran Symphony Orchestra as composer (2009 - present)
• Principal Viola, Tehran Symphony Orchestra (2008)
• Winner of the award for best original score “Light Sight” (18th Iran Cinema Celebration - 2016)
• Nomination for Barbad Award for Best Classical Music Album of the Year (Iran - 2016)
• "Top student" Master of Arts "MA" in music composition - Tehran University of Art (2009)
• 2nd rank in the field of music composition, in the Iranian university's nationwide master's degree program entrance examinations (2007)
• Member of Fajr Music Festival nominated group as Violin player (Iran - 2003)
• Winner of music group award in theater festival for “Chain & Wing” play (Iran - 1999)
• Music score for “Stain” 2022 Short film/Animation directed by Shiva Sadegh Asadi
• Music score for “The Crab” 2019 Short film/Animation directed by Shiva Sadegh Asadi
• Music score for “One Person” 2018 Short film/Animation directed by Mahboobeh
• Music score for “Maned & Macho” 2017 Short film/Animation
• Music score for “Light Sight” 2016 Drama/Short film (35 wins and 18 nominations)
• Rostamzad based on Shahnameh Ferdowsi (2025)
• “Arash the Archer” Suite for Symphony Orchestra, performed and recorded by Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Sirenko at Kyiv House of Voice (winner of the first rank award of 25th International Fajr Music Festival, and Ferdowsi Millennium Special Award)
• “Creation” for symphony orchestra Based on Shahnameh (Epic of Kings) of Ferdowsi, played and recorded by Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Amir Pourkhalaji
• Concert with Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra and conducting “Twelve Faces Battle”, as well as the Piano Concerto No. 2 of Rachmaninov with Emanuel Frenzili (piano soloist from Italy), Bulgaria concert (July 2011)
• "A music player who was playing the moon" music for theatre, based on the Russian medieval epic “Sadko" (2010)
• Hafez Opera (playwright & director: Behrouz Gharibpour - 2012)
• Concerto for viola and orchestra (2012)
• Twelve Faces Battle for Symphony Orchestra recorded by Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra (2011)
• Fugue in D-minor
• Flute Quartet (Room of Flutes) in Iranian New Waves Album
• String Quartet No 1 & 2
• Pieces for Piano Solo