Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

Iran

Birth

:

1976 in Tehran, Iran

 

Kiya Tabassian is a renowned Iranian-Canadian musician, composer, and founder of the ensemble Constantinople. He was born on August 28, 1976, in Tehran, Iran, into a family of musicians. His father, Mohammad Reza Lotfi, was a renowned tar player, and his mother, Parvin Shafaie, was a singer. Growing up in a musical family, Kiya was exposed to Persian classical music from a young age and began learning the setar, a traditional Persian stringed instrument, at the age of six. In 1990, Kiya and his family moved to Montreal, Canada, where he continued his musical education. He studied the setar with his father and also learned the oud, a Middle Eastern lute, from Iraqi musician Munir Bashir. Kiya went on to study musicology and composition at the Université de Montréal, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 2001. In 1998, Kiya founded the ensemble Constantinople, which specializes in the performance of early music from the Middle East, Europe, and the Mediterranean. The ensemble has since become one of the most respected and innovative groups in the world music scene, known for its unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles. Constantinople has released several critically acclaimed albums, including "Passages," "Mémoires d'Istanbul," and "Dalla Porta d'Oriente." Kiya has also collaborated with numerous other musicians and ensembles, including Jordi Savall, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and the Kronos Quartet. He has composed music for film, theater, and dance productions, and his works have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. One of Kiya's most notable performances was at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, where he performed with Constantinople as part of the Cultural Olympiad. The ensemble's performance, which featured a fusion of Persian and Western classical music, was widely praised and helped to bring attention to the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East. Kiya has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 2007, he was awarded the Prix Opus for "Best World Music Album" for Constantinople's album "Mémoires d'Istanbul." In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian culture. He has also been a recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts' "Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award" and the "Jean-Marie Beaudet Award" for excellence in composition. In addition to his musical career, Kiya is also a dedicated educator. He has taught at the Université de Montréal and McGill University and has conducted workshops and masterclasses around the world. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge of Persian classical music and promoting cross-cultural understanding through music. Kiya Tabassian's contributions to the world of music have been significant and far-reaching. His innovative approach to blending traditional and contemporary styles has helped to bridge cultural divides and bring attention to the rich musical heritage of the Middle East. As a performer, composer, and educator, he has inspired countless musicians and audiences around the world and continues to be a leading figure in the world music scene.

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