Roudaki Orchestra Stanford Program
and
present
Maestro Shardad Rohani’s
Light Always Prevails
Stanford University
Dinkelspiel Auditorium
The Inaugural Season and Bay Area Debut
May 31, 2026
Maestro
SHARDAD ROHANI
Featuring
MINA DERIS
Vocalist
Aryan Blourchian
Violin
Oliver Hakim
Kamancheh
Bay Area Choir
PROGRAM
PALLADIO
Composer: Carl Jenkins
Arranger: Shardad Rohani
TAPESTRY OF IRANIAN CLASSICS
Bay Area Persian Choir
Choir director: Naser Sheikhzadegan
Arranged by Shardad Rohani
PEACE
Composer: Miroslav Skoryk
Arranged by Shardad Rohani
Aryan Bolourchian (Violin)
AGHRABE ZOLFE KAJET
Composer: Aliakbar Shida
Arranged by Shardad Rohani
Vocalist: Mina Deris
GHOGAYE SETAREGAN
Composer: Homayoun Khoram
Arranged by Shardad Rohani
Vocalist: Mina Deris
SANGHE KHARA
Composer: Ali Tajvidi
Arrangement: Shardad Rohani
Oliver Hakim (Kamancheh)
BAHARE DELNESHIN
Composer: Rouhollah Khaleghi
Arranged by Shardad Rohani
SCHINDLER’S LIST
Composer: John Williams
Arranged by Shardad Rohani
Soloist: Aryan Bolourchian
ROSVAYE ZAMANEH
Composer: Homayoun Khoram
Arrangement: Shardad Rohani
Vocalist: Mina Deris
LIBERTANGO
Composer: Astor Piazzola
Arranged by Shardad Rohani
Intermission
MOTHERLAND
Composer: Shardad Rohani
OZRA’S DANCE
Composer: Shardad Rohani
ETERNITY
Composer: Shardad Rohani
DANCE OF SPRING
Composer: Shardad Rohani
GOLDEN DREAM
Composer: Javad Maroufi
Arrangement: Shardad Rohani
SWEET MOMENTS
Composer: Shardad Rohani
(Solo Piano)
ELEGY (JOLFA)
Composer: Arno Babadjanian
Arranged by Shardad Roha
THOUGHTS OF THE PAST
Composer: Shardad Rohani
(Solo Piano)
ESFAHAN
Composer: Javad Maroufi
Arranged by Shardad Rohani
As the founder and artistic director, it is my great pleasure to introduce the newly formed Roudaki Orchestra to Southern California. Named after the renowned ninth-century Iranian poet, singer, and musician Roudaki—celebrated as the "father of Persian poetry"—the orchestra honors his legacy and the cultural heritage he represents. The name also evokes the splendid Roudaki Hall, built by Eugene Aftandilian and modeled after the Vienna Opera House. Inaugurated by their Majesties Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and Farah Pahlavi in 1967, Roudaki Hall brought classical music to Iran on a stage comparable to the great venues of Europe and the world.
My vision for the Roudaki Orchestra is to celebrate the rich musical traditions of Iran by performing works from both past and contemporary Iranian composers. Additionally, we aim to educate and inspire a new generation of musicians by introducing them to classical music and providing opportunities for underrepresented communities and individuals to play in a professional ensemble.
As we say in our beautiful language:
برگ سبزیست تحفه درویش
(A green leaf is a humble gift).
~ Shardad Rohani ~
