Anoushiravan Rohani

Anoushiravan Rohani (Persian: born in July 24, 1939 , انوشیروان روحانی ‎‎), also spelled Anooshiravan Rowhani , is an Iranian pianist and composer. Anoushiravan received music lessons from his father Reza Rohani, himself a poet and violinist. Anoushiravan later graduated from the Persian National Music Conservatory in Tehran . His style is contemporary and he is well known for composing and conducting classical, as well as pop music.

Born in Rasht, in the Gilan Province of Iran in 1939, Anoushiravan received music lessons from his father Reza Rohani, himself a poet and violinist. His brothers, Shahrdad Rohani, Ardeshir Rohani and Shahriar Rohani are also accomplished musicians.

Anoushiravan later studied piano with Javad Maroufi, one of the most famous pianists in the Persian style, at the Persian National Music Conservatory in Tehran.

His passion for the keyboard and piano was so great that in 1963, he imported the very first electronic organ to Iran. Aside from the organ, he is also heard playing the accordion in many of his early works.

Anoushirvan's deep love for music drew him to other musical instruments. Besides piano, he mastered electronic organ and accordion, and he was first to introduce Iran to electronic organ through his compositions. In 1958, Anoushirvan officially began his long collaboration with the National Iranian Radio. Anoushirvan's artistry is not limited to the virtuosity of his piano performance. His works eludes classification into conventional categories. Their hallmark is enchanting melodies and chords. Indeed, his musical themes, in spite of their originality, often evoke uncanny familiarity. What distinguishes him as a shining gem in the annals of modern Iranian music is his creative imagination and exquisite inspiration that defines his compositions. His productive career includes over 500 compositions that includes numerous vocals, orchestral music, piano pieces and film scores, among them "Soltan-e-Ghalbhaa", "Dele Kuchuloo," and "Gol- e-Sang." His most famous piece, "Tavalodat Mobarak,"(lyrics by Nozar Parang) The Iranian version of the "Happy Birthday" song is undoubtedly the most often-played Iranian song.

When Anoushiravan was only nine years old he had his first song broadcast on Iranian National Radio network. And by the time he was a teenager he started to get larger Iranian media attention for his musical talents.

After the Iranian Revolution of 1979, he continued his composing in the Western world, principally based in Los Angeles and Germany, where he recorded albums under the MZM record label.

Anoushiravan musical achievements were not recognized in Iran alone, he has worked with a vast number of orchestras worldwide. One such orchestra worthy of being noted is the Czech Symphony Orchestra based in Prague, which performed the orchestral pieces from his album 'Symphonic Love Melodies.

Studio Albums

A great deal of albums he recorded were produced in Iran prior to the Revolution and are rather difficult to find. The albums listed below are from his post-revolutionary compositions:

• King of Hearts ℗ 1968
• Faryaad ℗ 1970 Catapult
• Tavalodet Mobarak (Happy Birthday) ℗ 1972 Catapult
• Soltan e Ghalbha (Emperor of Hearts) [feat. Shahdad Rohani] ℗ 1982 Catapult
• Taraneh-e Saal (with Hayedeh and Moein) ℗ 1985 Catapult
• Yadgar-e Omr 1 (The Reminiscence of Life , Vol 1) ℗ 1992 Catapult
• Yadgar-e Omr 2 (The Reminiscence of Life , Vol 2) ℗ 1993 Catapult
• Bahaneh (with Leila Forouhar) ℗ 1993 Catapult
• Zolfaye Yaaram (with Sima Bina) ℗ 1993
• Oaj-e Seda, with Hayedeh Va Mahasti ℗ 1994 Catapult
• Mohebat ℗ 1994 Catapult
• Rangaarang ℗ 1972 Catapult
• Love Melodies (Symphonic) , (with Czech Symphony Orchestra Prague) ℗ 1997 Catapult

Compilation Albums

• Scent of Yesterday, Vol 13 ℗ 2009
• Persian Odes (Chakameh-Haye Irani) Persian Old Songs ℗ 2011
• Oud? CDs ℗ 2011

Anoushiravan Rohani is the composer of the Persian equivalent of the 'Happy Birthday to you' song, entitled "Tavalodet Mobarak" (literally "blessed be your birthday"). It is sung at virtually every Persian birthday party in a large group (Tavalodet Mobarak lyrics are by Nozar Parang).