Reza Vali, Persian-American Composer, Celebrates his 70th Birthday with Concerts Around the World
Persian-American composer Reza Vali celebrates his 70th birthday, September 1, 2022, with concerts around the world featuring his music.
Described by Corinna da Fonseca-Wolheim of The New York Times as “vibrant and richly expressive,” Vali’s music blends Western classical language with Persian folk songs and idioms, creating a dialog of civilizations into beautiful and textured works. Since 2000, Vali’s music has been based on the Iranian modal system, the Dastgâh-Maqâm.
Concerts include performances by cellist Kian Soltani and the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Decoda Ensemble, Del Sol String Quartet, Alba Consort, and the NAT28 Ensemble.
The Carpe Diem String Quartet performs an all-Reza Vali program of string quartet music on October 15, 2022 at the Freer Gallery of Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. The concert includes an earlier work, Folk Songs (Set No.11B), Vali’s most recent work Dashti (Calligraphy No.18) for singing string quartet, and a special presentation of Esfahan (Calligraphy No.17) with video projection.
The Decoda Ensemble also performs an all-Vali concert at Bargemusic in New York City on October 28, 2022, and the Alba Consort with mezzo-soprano Margo Andrea performs the World Premiere of Four Persian Mystic Poems on October 29, 2022.
Explore Reza’s Catalog
Works available for purchase or rent from Keiser Southern Music.
Works for Full Orchestra
Deylámân (1995)
4(2d AFl, 1d Bass Flute, 2d Picc).3(1d EH).4(1d Eb Clar, 2d BCl).3(1d Cbsn): 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(6).Pno(d Clst).Harp.Persian Ney.Persian Oud: Str. (Ney may be replaced by a Flute; 6 string Lute may substitute for Oud)
20 min.
AUDIO
Isfahan (Calligraphy No. 16) (2017)
2(2dPicc).2(2dEh).2(2dBcl).2(2dCbsn):2.2.2.1:Timp.Perc(2).Pno..Hp.Str.
22 min.
Opening Music (1988)
2(1d Picc).2(1d EH).2.2: 5.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): Str
8 min.
Ravan (2013)
2(1dPicc, 2dAFl).2(2dEH).2(2dBCl).1+Cbsn: 2.1.1.1: Timp.Perc(2).Pno.Hp: Str.
5 min.
The Darkness of Fury (2012)
2(2dPicc).2(1dEH).2.2: 4(+opt Hn5).3.3.1: Timp.Perc(2): Str.
5 min.
VIDEO
Works for Orchestra and Soloist(s)
Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (1997)
Flute Solo: 1(d AFl, Picc).1(d EH).1(d A Clarinet, Bass Clar).0: 2.1.1.1: Timp.Perc(4).Hp: Str (6.6.4.4.2 or 6.4.4.3.2)
20 min.
AUDIO
Four Movements for String Quartet and Orchestra (1993)
String Quartet Soli and String Orchestra
30 min.
AUDIO: MVMT 1 | MVMT 2 | MVMT 3 | MVMT 4
Funebre (1992)
Violin Solo: String Orchestra (8.8.6.4.4 or 6.6.4.4.2)
9 min.
AUDIO
Segâh: Double Concerto for Persian Ney, Kamanche, and Orchestra (2010)
Ney (Persian Flute) and Kamanche (Persian/ Turkish spike fiddle) soli: 2(2dPicc).1dEH.2(1dCl in A, 2dBcl).2(2dCbsn): 1.2.2.1: Timp(dPersian Frame Drum).Perc(2).Pno.Hp: Str.
29 min.
VIDEO
The Ancient Call: Calligraphy No. 13 (2014)
Trumpet Solo: 2(1dAfl, 2dPicc).1(dEh).2(2dBcl).2(2dCbsn):2.2.2.1: 3 Perc(1dTimp).Pno.Hp: Str.
14 min.
AUDIO
The Being of Love: Folk Songs Set No. 16 (2005)
Soprano or Mezzo Voice: 2(2d AFl, Picc).2(2dEH).2(1dCl in A, 2dBCl).2(2dCbsn): 2.2.2.1: Timp.Perc(4).Pno (d Clst).Hp: Str(10.9.8.7.6)
27 min.
The Dervish and the Magus (1994)
Cello Solo: 2(1d Picc, 1d AFl).1(d EH).2(2d Eb Clar, 1d BCl).1(d Cbsn): 1.1.2.1: Timp.Perc(2).Pno(d Clst).Harp(d low chimes): Str 6.2.2.2.2
26 min.
Toward That Endless Plain: Concerto for Persian Ney and Orchestra (2003)
Persian Ney (Flute) Solo: 2(dPicc).2(2dEH).2(1dEbCl, 2dBCl).2(2dCbsn): 2.2.2.1: Perc(3).Pno(dShaker).Hp(dSiren, Shakers): Str(last 2 Vn1 stands dClaves, Guiro; last Vn2 stand dTemple Blocks)
19 min.
AUDIO: MVMT 1 | MVMT 2 | MVMT 3
Works for Chamber Orchestra (with soloist)
Folk Songs: Set No. 10 (1993)
Soprano or Mezzo-Soprano Solo: 2(1d Picc, 1d AFl).1(d EH).2(1,2d BCl).1: 1.1.1.1: Timp.Perc(2).Pno.Hp: Str (9.8.6.4.4 or 1.1.1.1.1)
15 min.
AUDIO: SONG I | SONG II | SONG III | SONG IV
Folk Songs: Set No. 14 (1998)
Mezzo-Soprano or Soprano Solo: 1(d Picc).1(d EH).1(d BCl).1(d Cbsn): 2.1.1.1: Timp.Perc(2).Pno.Hp: Str (9.8.6.4.4 or 1.1.1.1.1)
12 min.
AUDIO: SONG I | SONG II | SONG III | SONG IV | SONG V
Persian Folk Songs: Set No. 7 (1986)
Soprano Solo: 1(d AFl, Picc).1(d EH).1(d BCl).1(d Cbsn): 1.1.1.1: Timp.Perc(2).Pno.Hp: Str (9.8.6.4.4 , 6.6.4.4.2, or 1.1.1.1.1)
17 min.
AUDIO: SONG I | SONG II | SONG III | SONG IV | SONG V | SONG VI
Works for Solo Instruments
PIANO
Blue Johannes (2012)
7 min.
VIDEO
Der Eisberg (1983)
8 min.
Gestures (1980)
10 min.
Reminiscences (1986)
10 min.
STRINGS
Calligraphy No. 5, version for Solo Viola (2003)
Viola Solo
6 min.
VIDEO
Calligraphy No. 5, version for Solo Violin (2003)
Violin Solo
6 min.
Gozaar: Calligraphy no. 5 for Guitar (2003)
Guitar Solo
6 min.
AUDIO
Kord for Solo Cello: Calligraphy No. 9 (2008)
Cello Solo
5 min.
VIDEO
WINDS
Kismet: Calligraphy No. 7, Version for Solo Flute and Electronics (2007)
Solo Flute, Pre-recorded multiple flute tracks
9 min.
VIDEO
Song for Solo Flute (1987)
Flute Solo
7 min.
Works for Chorus
Four Persian Folk Songs: Set No. 5 (1984)
Soprano Solo: Children’s Chorus or SSA Chorus, Harp, Piano, Perc(2)
10 min.
Persian Folklore (1987)
SATB Chorus
5 min.
Works for Chamber Strings
Ashoob: Calligraphy No. 14 for String Quartet (2014)
String Quartet
8 min.
AUDIO
Calligraphies (Nos. 1-3) for String Quartet / Quintet (1999)
String Quartet, Double Bass
12 min.
VIDEO
Folk Songs: Set No. 11A (1995)
4 Cellos
8 min.
Folk Songs: Set No. 11B (1995)
String Quartet
8 min.
VIDEO
Folk Songs: Set No. 12B (1996)
4 Cellos
4 min.
Folk Songs: Set No. 12C (1996)
Cello, Piano
5 min.
Folk Songs: Set No. 13 (1996)
4 Cellos
14 min.
Gâtâr: Calligraphy No. 11 for String Quartet (2011)
String Quartet
12 min.
AUDIO
Geryân: Calligraphy No. 12 for String Quartet (2012)
String Quartet
9 min.
AUDIO
Khojasteh: Calligraphy No. 10 for Violin and Cello (2010)
Violin, Cello
9 min.
VIDEO
Love Drunk (2014)
Violin, Piano
7 min.
AUDIO: SONG I: Longing | SONG II: In Memory of a Lost Beloved | SONG III: The Girl from Shiraz | SONG IV: Love Drunk
Love Songs (2003)
Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano
7 min.
AUDIO: MVMT I | MVMT II | MVMT III
Nayshâborak (Calligraphy No. 6) (2006)
String Quartet
10 min.
AUDIO
Ormavi, String Quartet No. 4 (2017)
String Quartet
18 min.
AUDIO: MVMT I | MVMT II | MVMT III | MVMT IV | MVMT V | MVMT VI | MVMT VII | MVMT VIII
Persian Folk Songs: Set No. 16C (2016)
Cello, Piano
20 min.
VIDEO
Raak: Calligraphy No. 15 (2015)
String Quartet
15 min.
VIDEO
String Quartet No. 2 (1991)
String Quartet
30 min.
AUDIO: MVMT I | MVMT II | MVMT III | MVMT IV
String Quartet No. 3 (2001)
String Quartet
21 min.
AUDIO: MVMT I | MVMT II | MVMT III
Three Romantic Songs (2011)
Violin, Piano
7 min.
VIDEO
Zand: Calligraphy no. 2 for String Quartet (1999)
String Quartet
5 min.
AUDIO
Works for Chamber Winds
Folk Songs: Set No. 12D (2002)
Horn, Piano
7 min.
Kismet: Calligraphy No. 7 (2007)
Flute Trio: Fl 1 dAFl, Picc; Fl 2 & 3 dAFl
8 min.
AUDIO
Persian Suite: Folk Songs: Set No. 12E (2002)
Flute, Piano
7 min.
VIDEO
Vocal Chamber
Folk Songs Set No. 8 (1989)
Soprano or Mezzo-Soprano Solo: Flute(d Picc), Clarinet(d BCl), Perc(1), Harp, Piano, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
15 min.
AUDIO: SONG I | SONG II | SONG III | SONG IV | SONG V | SONG VI | SONG VII
Folk Songs: Set No. 12A
Mezzo soprano or soprano solo, string quartet (vl.1, vl.2, vla., vcl.), piano
12 min.
AUDIO: SONG I | SONG II | SONG III | SONG IV | SONG V
Four Persian Folk Songs: Set No. 1 (1979)
Soprano or Mezzo-Soprano, Piano
12 min.
Nine Persian Folk Songs: Set No. 2 (1981)
Soprano, Piano
12 min.
Works for Mixed Chamber
Ashoob: Calligraphy No. 14 for Santoor and String Quartet (2014)
Persian Santoor, String Quartet
8 min.
AUDIO
Calligraphy No. 4 (2001)
Persian Santoor (hammered dulcimer), String Quartet
7 min.
AUDIO
Chant and Dance (1990)
Flute(d Picc, Alto Flute), Clarinet(d BCl), Pno(d Clst), Perc(3)
16 min.
AUDIO: MVMT 1 | MVMT 2
Folk Songs: Set No. 9 for Flute and Cello (1991)
Flute (d Piccolo, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Tambourine), Cello (d 6 crystal glasses, Tom-Tom)
18 min.
AUDIO: MVMT I | MVMT II | MVMT III | MVMT IV | MVMT V | MVMT VI | MVMT VII | MVMT VIII
Folk Songs: Set No. 15 (1999)
Flute(d AFl, Picc), Clarinet (d Eb Clar, Bass Clar), Percussion, Violin, Cello
20 min.
AUDIO: MVMT I | MVMT II | MVMT III | MVMT IV | MVMT V | MVMT VI | MVMT VII
Kereshmeh: Calligraphy No. 8 (2007)
Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Bassoon, Contrabassoon, Percussion (3). (Performers divided into 3 independent groups.)
5 min.
AUDIO
Sornâ: Folk Songs Set No 17 for Solo Clarinet and 7 Players (2015)
Solo Clarinet in Bb, Flute(dPicc, Afl), Clarinet(dEb Clar, Bcl), 2 Percussion, Piano(dChimes), Violin(dChimes), Cello(dChimes)
12 min.
AUDIO: MVMT I | MVMT II | MVMT III | MVMT IV
The Night of Power (1990)
2 Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Perc(3), Pno(d Clst), Violin, Cello,*Electric Instruments (1 player): MIDI keyboard-controller, Yamaha tx 816 Synth, Roland d-550 Synth, Lexicon PCM effect processor, and MIDI
18 min.
Zand: Calligraphy No. 2, Version for Flute and String Trio (1999)
flute, violin, viola, cello
5 min.
Zand: Calligraphy No. 2, Version for Ney and String Trio (1999)
ney, violin, viola, cello
5 min.
VIDEO
Zand: Calligraphy No. 2, Version for Oud and String Trio (1999)
oud, violin, viola, cello
5 min.