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 interview
- as if almost erasing 2023
- four dancers, two violas, fixed media
- collaboration with Samara Langham
- written for Isobel Doncaster and Georgia Russell
as if almost erasing is the product of an eight-week collaboration between the choreographer Samara Langham (life is beautiful, LCDS) and myself. The music was written especially for Isobel and Georgia, both of whom play viola and sing in the piece.
Performances
30-11-2023: Isobel Doncaster/Georgia Russell, The Place (UK)
01-12-2023: Isobel Doncaster/Georgia Russell, The Place (UK)
Recording from 30.11.2023
violas — Isobel Doncaster, Georgia Russell
dancers — Charlotte Guilbert-Greene, Sally Hsu, Ashley Lin, Elvi Rose Christiansen Head