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
- me fait languir 2022
- orchestra
- written for the London Chamber Orchestra
recording available upon request
me fait languir was made in the summer of 2022, when I was working with the London Chamber Orchestra as part of their LCO New scheme. I was lucky enough to have two workshops to develop the piece over the course of three months.
Programme note
The title me fait languir is taken from Beauté parfaite, a ballade by Guillaume de Machaut set to music by Antonello da Caserta:
Beauté parfaite et bonté sovraine,
grace sans per et douçur esmerée,
me fait languir in contrée lontaine,
en desirant ma dame desirée.
Si ne puis pas avoir longue durée
et ma dolour longuemant endurer,
puis que desirs ne me lasse durer.
The piece is mainly comprised of material from Caserta’s setting, removed from its context, which I re-assemble into me fait languir.
I am interested in the orchestra because, despite its rigorous internal hierarchies, it is ultimately a mass of individuals — two facts which can sometimes be at odds. I can only hope to address a small handful of different ways this can be explored.
Performances
23-09-2022: London Chamber Orchestra cond. Christopher Warren-Green, St John’s Smith Square (UK)