Darius Paymai
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    Image by Sam White


    Darius Paymai is an Iranian-American composer and performer based in London. His work is characterised by a clarity of approach and economy of material: often fragile, static, cyclical, found and reused in new contexts.

    He is undertaking an Artist Master’s at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, learning with Laurence Crane, where he also studied at an undergraduate level with Paul Newland and Paul Whitmarsh. 

    As a composer he has worked with ensembles such as the London Chamber Orchestra, Plus-Minus Ensemble, Britten Sinfonia, EXAUDI, Quatuor Bozzini, and cellist Francesco Dillon, and his music performed at St. John’s Smith Square, The Place, Milton Court Concert Hall, and Hundred Years Gallery.

    As a performer he is interested in approaching experimental repertoire, drone, and free improvisation, often with harmonium, percussion, or live electronics, as well as making and presenting independent radio shows.

    His studies have been supported by the Guildhall School Trust.

    He enjoys two-word piece titles and crossword puzzles.


    link to recent interviewPRXLUDES




    in progress
    • 15’
    flute, viola, harpApril 2025: Aldeburgh (UK)

    2024
    • 9’
    b. clarinet, e. guitar, percussion, violin, ‘cellowritten for Plus Minus Ensemble

    • 8’
    chamber vocal sextetwritten for EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble

    • 7’
    soprano, piano, fixed mediacollaboration with Alexia Peniguel
    written for Harriet Cameron and Jingyi Cao

    • 10’
    violin, pianowritten for Victoria Lewis and Yihan Chen

    2023
    • 12’
    four dancers, two violas, fixed mediacollaboration with Samara Langham
    written for Isobel Doncaster and Georgia Russell

    • 5’
    two pianoswritten for Yihan Chen and Maxime Trechsel



    contact for scores, CV, further info, recordings, or just to say hello


    ©Darius Paymai 2024