As a composer and pianist, Amir’s passion for exploring diverse musical genres has led him to develop a highly personalized approach to his craft. Born in Ahvaz, Iran, his path in music took a detour when he initially pursued mechanical engineering, driven by his deep-rooted fascination with physics and mathematics. However, his true calling beckoned him to Austria, where he relocated to fulfill his aspirations in music.
In Austria, Amir pursued classical contemporary composition and jazz piano at the Anton Bruckner Private University, immersing himself in a world of musical possibilities. It was during this time that he co-founded “Studio Fugu” with his colleagues in 2018, an association dedicated to interdisciplinary art.
They organized dialogue concerts featuring renowned composers like Tristan Murail, where Amir also performed as a pianist. Seeking to push boundaries further, he initiated the dance project “Bauhaus tanzt” in 2019. This project, inspired by Oskar Schlemers’ choreography, featured Amir’s performance of John Cage’s Sonatas and Interludes for piano solo. The project gained international acclaim and received invitations from prestigious festivals across Europe.
Taking his artistic endeavors further, Amir ventured into music theater in 2020, composing a piece based on a poem by Persian poet Forough Farrokhzad. This venture showcased his ability to blend music and storytelling, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile artist.
In parallel to his compositional pursuits, Amir’s participation in the ensemble Kurdophone as a pianist opened doors to the vibrant jazz scene in Austria and beyond. He performed at renowned venues like Porgy & Bess, Konzerthaus, Musikverein (Vienna), as well as numerous stages in Germany and France, collaborating with various jazz ensembles.
In 2020, Amir’s path took an intriguing turn when he discovered the “31ton-Keyboard” known as Claviton, created by Georg Vogel. This encounter reignited his interest in microtonal tuning systems, particularly those used in Iranian and Arabic music. As a result, he wrote an essay on the tuning systems used in the Dotar music of Khorasan, earning a prize byGesellschaft für Musiktheorie (German musicological society) in Basel, Swiss. Consequently, Amir became a lecturer at symposiums on microtonal music, sharing his knowledge and expertise with others.
Amir’s dedication to exploring tuning systems resulted in receiving a Startstipendium from the Bundesministerium of Austria in 2022. The grant supported his work on developing a tuning system based on Iranian and Arabic music for the 31-ton Keyboard. His aim was to implement a polyphonic texture in this music.
Amir’s adventure in music showcases his unwavering passion for exploration. Through his innovative compositions and performances, he continues to push the boundaries of music, combining modern, jazz, and traditional influences. These interdisciplinary endeavors, together with his focus on microtonality, have forged a distinct path for his artistic expression.