Ramin Arjomand Solo

Iranian-American composer-pianist Ramin Arjomand's work is born of a complex interplay of cross-cultural creative impulses. His long-form improvisations attain extremes of sound intensity, pushing limits of spontaneous thinking while seeking simultaneously, and equally intensely, a compositional unity characteristic of fully-notated music.

Their sound structure draws as much on a nineteenth-century European approach to piano resonance as on the unfettered sensibility of American avant-garde jazz. Beneath the surface lies a musical ethos that quietly echoes the Iranian dastgāh tradition.

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2026 Composers Now Festival

Composers Now Launches 15th Annual Festival with a Kick-Off Concert at National Sawdust

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Composers Now proudly announces the launch of its 15th annual Composers Now Festival with a landmark opening‑night concert on January 28 at 7:30 PM at National Sawdust. The evening begins with a special 15th anniversary pre‑concert celebration at Sea Thai from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, honoring the organization’s legacy of championing living composers across New York City and beyond.

This year’s Festival Kick‑Off concert celebrates the extraordinary breadth of contemporary musical voices and the collaborative spirit that defines Composers Now. Throughout February, the Festival unites presenters and performers from every corner of the city—renowned venues, cutting‑edge ensembles, visionary opera and musical theater companies, and innovative dance organizations—to spotlight the work of today’s composers. At every event, composers are present, engaged, and in conversation with audiences, reinforcing the Festival’s commitment to visibility, community, and artistic exchange.

The 15th anniversary concert honors Visionary Award recipients Rhiannon Giddens and Billy Childs for their profound contributions to American art. The program features works by Kavita Shah, Pauchi Sasaki, Ileana Perez Velazquez, Trevor Weston, Jake Blount, and Jessica Shand, performed by acclaimed artists including violinist Mari Kimura, cellist Mihai Marica, and others.

Composers Now also proudly presents the world premiere of a new work by Amil Abumrad, this year’s First Commission recipient, performed with members of The Dessoff Choirs, Malcolm J. Merriweather, Music Director.

The evening additionally includes a short video highlighting interdisciplinary collaboration, offering a behind‑the‑scenes look at composer Younje Cho and filmmaker Renu Savant during their 2025 residency at the Pocantico Center—a partnership between Composers Now and the Asian Cultural Council, supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

Join us for this extraordinary celebration of living composers and the vibrant artistic community that surrounds them. Festival events continue throughout February. Visit composersnow.org for the full schedule.

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For more information about Composers Now, please visit www.composers.now.org

To join the 15th anniversary pre-concert reception, click HERE

For Kick-off concert ticketing information, click HERE