Composer's bio

Amin Amel Ebrahimi (1997) is an Iranian - Dutch contemporary composer whose music bridges Persian musical traditions and Western classical practice, recognized for its refined use of microtonality and quartertones to create sound worlds that feel both ancient and strikingly modern. Rather than juxtaposing "East" and "West," his work allows both traditions to coexist organically within a single musical language — modal thinking, ornamentation, and microtonal inflection are woven into contemporary compositional technique as structural elements, not surface reference. This approach places him among a generation of composers rethinking cultural heritage within contemporary composition, exploring questions of identity, memory, and sound.

Amin's musical path began with his love for flamenco and Persian music as a teenager learning the guitar and oud. He initially studied architecture at IAUM before committing himself fully to music and moving to the Netherlands to train as a conductor and composer. His architectural background and Persian roots continue to shape how he thinks about structure, space, music, and dramaturgy. Amin’s driving force is to understand complex ideas and make them accessible. His focus is always on relevance: does the detail support the whole, and will the form speak to the audience? As a curator, he crafts fully realised experiences that builds a bridge between performers and audience, and between different cultures.

Quartertones and flexible pitch systems function as expressive tools rather than experimental effects, expanding harmonic and melodic possibility; his writing adapts to the specific ensemble, performers, and acoustic space, lending his music particular power in both instrumental and vocal settings, where subtle pitch inflections heighten emotional resonance and narrative tension.
Vocal music occupies an important place in Ebrahimi's output. His sensitivity to text, language, and vocal colour makes his work particularly attractive to professional choirs and vocal ensembles, with microtonal inflection used to enhance textual meaning rather than obscure it. This has led to collaborations with ensembles such as Cappella Amsterdam and Brabant Koor, both known for their commitment to innovative contemporary repertoire. 

Despite a relatively short time based in the Netherlands, Ebrahimi has received major commissions from leading ensembles, orchestras, and cultural institutions, including Gaudeamus Muziekweek, November Music, Nederlands Kamerorkest, Philzuid, Brabant Koor, Cappella Amsterdam, and De Link. Notable works include He woke up in the snake's dream for Brabant Koor and Haft Shahr, commissioned by Gaudeamus — projects spanning choir to orchestra while maintaining a clear, recognisable compositional voice.
Within today's international new-music landscape, Ebrahimi stands out for combining conceptual clarity with immediate sonic impact, appealing to festivals and ensembles seeking repertoire that reflects present-day cultural realities without resorting to stylistic stereotypes. By integrating Persian musical thinking into a contemporary European context, he contributes meaningfully to ongoing conversations about diversity, tradition, and innovation in new music, with a growing international profile and increasing interest from major institutions and festivals.

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