Pir-e Farzaneh
Parissa
presents
PARISSA
PIR-E FARZANEH
(پیر فرزانه)
Performed Live with the
IRANSHAHR ORCHESTRA
Music Director & Conductor
Shahab Paranj
Composed by
Hossein Alizadeh
Lyrics by
Hafez
May 14, 2026 - 11AM PDT
In a moment of profound cultural and artistic significance, Farhang Foundation proudly presents the live world premiere of the classic song Pir-e Farzaneh (پیر فرزانه), performed by the legendary Grande Dame of Iranian classical music, Maestra Parissa, in a rare live appearance at UCLA’s iconic Royce Hall. This historic performance was recorded as part of the LIGHT ALWAYS PREVAILS concert on March 8, 2026, featuring the Iranshahr Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Shahab Paranj.
A towering figure in Iranian music, Parissa is widely regarded as the most influential Iranian female classical vocalist of the past half century. Renowned for her unparalleled vocal mastery, emotional depth, and singular interpretive style, she stands as a living bridge to the golden era of Iranian classical tradition.
Her early career helped define a cultural renaissance in Iran through her work with National Radio and Television and the Ministry of Culture. Following the 1979 revolution, however, Parissa was banned from singing publicly in Iran—a prohibition that has endured for over 47 years. Despite this, her voice has continued to resonate across the world, gracing prestigious stages and institutions while shaping generations of artists through her teaching and mentorship.
Her live performances today are exceedingly rare and deeply treasured, making this appearance a truly historic occasion.
In this luminous performance of Pir-e Farzaneh, composed by the master Hossein Alizadeh and set to the immortal poetry of Hafez, Parissa is joined by the Iranshahr Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Shahab Paranj, creating an experience of extraordinary beauty, reverence, and transcendence.
Presented as part of LIGHT ALWAYS PREVAILS, the Nowruz 2026 concert by Farhang Foundation in collaboration with the Iranian Music Program at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, this evening stands as a powerful tribute to the enduring spirit, resilience, and cultural legacy of the Iranian people.
Farhang Foundation was deeply honored to host Maestra Parissa on this stage in 2019, and with immense pride, welcomed her once again for this rare and meaningful return.
About Parissa
Renowned for her extraordinary vocal mastery, depth of expression, and distinctive style, Parissa is widely regarded as the most influential Iranian female classical vocalist of the past half century. She studied Persian vocal music, including the revered radif repertoire and classical tasnifs, under the guidance of two of the most celebrated masters of Persian vocal tradition, Abdollah Davami and Mahmoud Karimi.
Parissa’s early career included work with Iran’s National Radio and Television as well as the Ministry of Culture, where her artistry helped shape a golden era of Iranian classical music. Following the 1979 revolution, she was prohibited from performing publicly in Iran. Over the ensuing decades, her artistic journey has expanded internationally, with acclaimed performances at major festivals and concert halls around the world, alongside a distinguished career in teaching and mentoring within academic institutions.
Farhang Foundation was deeply honored to host Maestra Parissa at her last concert appearance on our stage in March 2019, and we are proud to welcome her once again for this rare and meaningful performance, an homage to the resilience, culture, and spirit of the people of Iran.
About Shahab Paranj
Winner of the 2024 Hoefer Prize, Shahab Paranj is a composer, conductor, instrumentalist, and educator. Born and raised in Iran, he holds degrees in music composition from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He is recognized as a pioneering figure among his generation of Iranian composers, known for integrating Persian and Western compositional techniques.
Praised by the San Francisco Examiner as "extraordinary" and lauded by composer John Adams for his "unique voice," Paranj's music diverges from Eurocentric conventions, drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of Persian music.
His recent commissions include works for ensembles such as the Delirium Musicum, Russian String Orchestra, Intersection Contemporary Music Ensemble, Long Beach Opera, Jâca Duo, Aleron Trio, San Francisco New Music Ensemble, One Great City Duo, MSM Symphony Orchestra, and the International Low Brass Trio. His versatility also extends to film scoring, with his original score for Dressage earning recognition when it was nominated for the 2018 Berlin Film Festival's Generation category.
As a conductor, Paranj led The Iranshahr Orchestra in the recording of Songs of Love and Loss by Richard Danielpour, featuring the acclaimed soprano Hila Plitmann, released by Naxos in 2024.
A virtuoso tombak player, Paranj has performed, recorded, and collaborated with distinguished artists and ensembles, including the legendary Mohammad Reza Shajarian, the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, and the Pacific Symphony under the baton of Carl St. Clair. For over 15 years, he has been a dedicated collaborator with the celebrated Shams Ensemble. In addition to his mastery of Persian percussion, he was a member of the Iran National TV and Radio Symphony Orchestra as a cellist from 2003 to 2007.
As a scholar, Paranj's primary research explores the Iranian Avazi style. He has presented his work at prominent conferences, including the joint annual meeting of SEM, AMS, and SMT in 2022. His contributions have been formally recognized by the Association of Professors and Scholars of Iranian (2024), Mehr Humanitarian Society (2010) and the City and County of San Francisco (2011).
Since 2023, Paranj has served as a faculty member and the director of the Center for Iranian Music at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. He is also the founder and music director of The Iranshahr Orchestra and the artistic director of du vert à l’infini, a contemporary music festival in the Franche-Comté region of France.
About Iranshahr Orchestra
The Iranshahr Orchestra, the first Iranian orchestra established outside of Iran, is composed of some of the most gifted and highly accomplished musicians in Los Angeles, united by a shared commitment to championing composers, performers, and educators. With a primary mission to promote and preserve Iranian music, the orchestra annually commissions, performs, and premieres works by Iranian composers, nurturing a rich and ever-evolving musical legacy.
Distinguished by its cultural diversity, The Iranshahr Orchestra transcends the conventional Western classical format, integrating instruments from Iran and neighboring regions while establishing a unique aesthetic and organizational structure rooted beyond European traditions.
Since 2024, the orchestra has been the official resident ensemble of the Center for Iranian Music at UCLA, further solidifying its role as a leading force in the promotion of Iranian musical heritage.
Among its notable initiatives, Avāz-e Jān—an ongoing collaboration with esteemed Iranian musicians—stands as a testament to its commitment to innovation. The orchestra has also commissioned works from distinguished composers such as Richard Danielpour, Reza Vali, and Ian Krouse, further enriching its artistic repertoire.
In June 2024, The Iranshahr Orchestra released its debut album under the prestigious Naxos label. This landmark recording, nominated for Best Contemporary Classical Music at the International Classical Music Awards, features works by Richard Danielpour and showcases Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann, conducted by Shahab Paranj.
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