Mohammad Tonkaboni
Composition
Office: TC 428
Email: stonkabo@uwo.ca
Mohammad Tonkaboni, also known as Seyed Mohammad Tonkaboni, is a composer, Santour player (a Persian instrument), and educator hailing from Iran. His diverse musical interests encompass Electro-acoustic Music, Composing for Orchestras, Folk music, Persian Classical and Popular Music, Film Music, Music Teaching, Music Production, and Music Projects Management.
Tonkaboni places special emphasis on the elements of Persian Classical Music evident in many of his works, such as “Chahargah is Heard Through the Raindrops!”, “Kereshmeh”, “Theme and Variation On A Kurdish Song”, “The Language of the Speechless”, “Sholayle” and so on. His compositions often incorporate and transform cultural elements from his native country, introducing the possibilities of Persian Classical Music in Western styles through interpretations of Radif (an essential repertoire in Persian Music) and folk songs.
Fueled by his interest in Persian literature, Tonkaboni integrates famous melodic motives from Persian literature into his works, considering this element a vital part of his cultural identity. His music strives to build a bridge between Persian cultural elements and Western music, introducing new sounds and perspectives.
Tonkaboni's music resonates across various mediums, including compositions for chamber ensembles, choirs, electronics, and orchestras. He has also composed music for Persian singers, collaborating with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments.
His works have been commissioned by prestigious musicians and ensembles, including the KNM Berlin Ensemble at the Cite University of Paris, thanks to his acceptance in an international festival organized by The Association of Iranian Contemporary Music Composers (ACIMC) and Shiraz International Music Festival (SIMF). Notably, he collaborated with the Tehran Symphonic Orchestra in October 2021.
Tonkaboni holds a Master of Art in Music Composition from the Tehran University of Art, where he graduated in 2018. In 2019, he contributed to the Journal of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran with an article titled "A Study of Behzad Ranjbaran's 'Seven Passages' with Focus on Elements of Cohesion and Diversity," co-authored with Dr. Amin Honarmand. (access link to the article)
In his educational endeavors, Tonkaboni has actively taught music theory, instrumentation, and orchestration at renowned institutions in Iran, including the Tehran University of Art, the University of Applied Sciences and Technology, the Tehran Music School, and the Tehran Conservatory of Music.
As a publisher and music director, Tonkaboni has led the Bang Ava-ye Sarang Art Institute (Bass) since 2019, overseeing the release of numerous albums and soundtracks. He directed the Parsua Orchestra at prestigious music festivals, showcasing his versatility and leadership skills.
Beyond his creative pursuits, Tonkaboni has contributed significantly to the music community through his service to the profession. He served as a judge and a member of the selection committee for the Navay-e Mehr Music Festival in 2022. His leadership roles, such as Head of the National Music Association and Head of National Choirs at the Children and Adolescents Intellectual Development Centre (KPF), reflect his commitment to planning and implementing various music-related projects in Iran.
Tonkaboni's dedication to the music field is evident in his professional memberships and affiliations, including roles in organizations such as the Composers Association of Iran Music House, the Parsua Orchestra, and the Technical Council of Music Theory at the National Tehran Music School.
