Mahdieh Mohammadkhani -

Our Iran - ایران ما

Our Iran - ایران ما

Mahdieh Mohammadkhani

THE IRANSHAHR ORCHESTRA

Thursday, July 3, 2025 - 11AM

Conductor: Shahab Paranj
Composer: Mahin Zarinpanjeh
Arrangement: Houman Dehlavi

Exclusively for Farhang Performances

 

Experience the breathtaking world premiere performance of OUR IRAN | ایران ما , a stunning orchestral and vocal tribute to the spirit of Iranian identity and artistry.

Performed live in March 2025 at UCLA’s Royce Hall as part of Farhang Foundation’s annual Nowruz Concert, this unforgettable musical experience features the incomparable Mahdieh Mohammadkhani in her historic return to the U.S. stage after more than a decade. She is joined by the brilliant Iranshahr Orchestra under the masterful baton of maestro Shahab Paranj, in collaboration with the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, home of Farhang Foundation’s historic Iranian music degree program.

The piece, OUR IRAN, was composed by the legendary and recently departed Mahin Zarinpanjeh, whose lifelong dedication to Iranian music and composition continues to echo through generations. This premiere performance marks the posthumous celebration of her genius, brought to life with extraordinary passion and technical excellence.

Join us in celebrating the power of music, cultural heritage, and the enduring beauty of OUR IRAN.

 

---

About Mahdieh Mohammadkhani

Mahdieh Mohammadkhani is a globally acclaimed Iranian classical singer, celebrated for her mesmerizing voice and profound dedication to Iranian traditional music. Trained under legendary masters such as Gholamreza Rezaei and the iconic Mohammad Reza Shajarian, she has established herself as one of the most influential vocalists in Iranian music today. In addition to her vocal artistry, she is also skilled in playing the piano and daf.

With a career spanning many years, Mohammadkhani has captivated audiences worldwide through her soul-stirring performances and collaborations with esteemed composers and ensembles. Her discography includes several acclaimed albums, including Darya Del, Yek Dariche, Dar Aghooshe Mah, and Tar o Pood. Her music has been showcased at prestigious festivals and venues across Europe, North America, and Australia, where she has performed alongside celebrated musicians such as Hamid Motebassem and Majid Derakhshani.

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mohammadkhani collaborated with Farhang Foundation and maestro Azad Mirzapour on the breathtaking music video MahaNegar. The performance became an instant success, earning the distinction of being Farhang Foundation’s most-viewed virtual performance of all time. This achievement further solidified her reputation as a global ambassador of Iranian music.

In 2025, after over a decade of effort, Farhang Foundation had the immense honor and pleasure of finally welcoming Mahdieh Mohammadkhani back to the United States for her first full performance in total artistic freedom. This landmark moment took place at the annual Nowruz Concert at UCLA’s Royce Hall, where she was featured as the headlining soloist with the Iranshahr Orchestra. The historic performance marked not only her triumphant return to U.S. stages but also a celebration of her enduring artistic voice and resilience.

With her angelic voice, impeccable artistry, and unwavering commitment to the preservation and evolution of Iranian music, Mahdieh Mohammadkhani remains a true cultural treasure and an inspiration to audiences around the world.

Discover Mahdieh Mohammadkhani

  

---

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.

Discover Iranshahr Orchestra

 

---

About Mahin Zarinpanjeh

Mahin Zarinpanjeh was a distinguished Iranian pianist, composer, and educator whose career spanned over six decades. Born on October 26, 1937, in Tehran, she was immersed in music from an early age, influenced by her father, Nasrollah Zarin Panjeh, a master of the tar and setar, and her mother, Safieh Yeganeh, a skilled tar and tonbak player.

Zarinpanjeh honed her musical talents at the National Conservatory of Music under the direction of Rouhollah Khaleghi. She studied with renowned masters such as Abolhasan Saba, Hossein Tehrani, and Javad Maroufi. Her pursuit of musical excellence led her to study European classical piano with Emanuel Melik-Aslanian and continue her Iranian music training with Morteza Mahjoubi.

After completing her studies, she joined the Ministry of Culture and Arts, where she became the conductor of the Women’s Orchestra and performed piano solos in various orchestras. In the 1980s, Zarinpanjeh moved abroad, living in England, France, and the United States, where she continued teaching piano and sharing her musical expertise.

Returning to Iran in her later years, she settled in the northern region of the country, resuming her role as a music educator and composer. Throughout her illustrious career, Zarinpanjeh composed over 60 musical pieces, some of which have been performed by prestigious orchestras worldwide, cementing her legacy as a prolific and influential musician.

Mahin Zarinpanjeh passed away on June 1, 2025, in Salman Shahr, Mazandaran Province, at the age of 87. Her enduring contributions to both Iranian and Western music continue to inspire generations of musicians.