Anoushirvan Rohani  was born into one of Iran's prominent musical families. His father, the late Reza Rohani Moayed, himself an accomplished musician, was Anoushirvan’s  first teacher and  mentor. Anoushirvan composed his first song at a tender age of six, which he aptly titled  “Avlalin Tango” (“First Tango”). His father wrote the lyrics for the song. By now, the father had fully recognized the prodigious talent of his child and began Anoushirvan’s rigorous training in classical piano under  the great Iranian master pianist,  Javad Maroofi. In 1948, when  Anoushirvan  was  just  nine years old, his song was broadcasted live on the Iranian National Radio network.
Anoushirvan continued his musical education  under masters and pioneers of the Iranian music, Javad Maroufi & Rouhallah Khaleghi. By the time he had  turned a teenager, the  talented Anoushirvan was  beginning to be  recognized  by the Iranian  mass media. The reputable Iranian Music magazine in its 10th edition, March 1, 1953 wrote,  "Anoushirvan, the 13 year old pianist who is raised by a musical family, is now learning to be a star at National Music Conservatory.” Twenty year later, the same magazine once again recognized Anoushirvan as "The Precious Innovator of Iranian Music.”
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," the Iranian version of the “Happy Birthday" song  is undoubtedly  the most often-played Iranian song.
What is unique about Anoushirvan’s accomplishment is his immense success outside of Iran, where he is much admired among  international music circles. Indeed, Anoushirvan defines much of his work in the genre of light classical, and a bridge between the Eastern and Western musical traditions. Many of his songs have been performed in different languages in several countries. Indeed, at the end of  one of his  private concert in June 1978, Edward Heath, the former British prime minister and leader of the Conservative  Party,  who has served as a  guest conductor of The Symphonic Orchestra of Great Britain, in an appreciation letter to Anoushirvan wrote:  "I was most impressed with brilliant technique you displayed. The quality and variety of sound you produced from the instrument was most remarkable." Among the many international  honors that Anoushirvan has received,  he was awarded  the first prize in Spain's Music Festival for his song Mi Destino (Spanish version of Soltan-e-Ghalbhaa). More recently he has been working with Hanover Opera and Ballet Orchestra in Germany. The fruit of this cooperation has been  five live performances of his ballet compositions. Today, after nearly a half a century Anoushirvan remains energetic and vibrant as ever and  is universally  recognized as one of Iran’s finest composer, pianist, and electronic organists.

Bahman  Fozouni, Ph.D.
California State University, Sacramento