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.