Meet Farnaz Tabatabaee | Film Composer & Pianist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Farnaz Tabatabaee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Farnaz, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose an artistic and creative career because it’s limitless and I simply love it. Composing allows me to experiment with different eras and emotions, and it’s not just a job—it’s therapeutic for me. Composition has cured me, and now I see myself as a healer who makes the world hear her voice via her compositions; to communicate the message that in love, pain, and sorrow, we are all the same. We are a single entity.

We are able to empathise with one another. One individual from a completely different culture on the other side of the world can cry, laugh, and experience love to a fantastic combination of music and film. We invite them to cry or laugh. And this entails recovery. I can infuse soul into films by acting as the narrator of many stories that exist within people’s hearts and souls.
Many people do not have access to these stories. They would be able to dig deep within themselves and see the inside with the help of the music. Therefore, People will not feel the sense of isolation that leads to wars if they sincerely believe that we are all one.
Composition has helped me heal and reduce my load on the road of life. Music has saved my life. With my music, perhaps I can make the world a better place.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m from Tehran, Iran, and it’s been my home for almost my entire life. My musical journey began with classical piano at 8, followed by classical violin at 14. Choosing a more conventional path, I studied information technology engineering for my bachelor’s degree at 18, driven by my knack for math and physics and my parents’ belief that music wasn’t a lucrative career. I found no joy in studying that.

I got to a stage where playing pre-composed pieces no longer fulfilled me. Simultaneously, I was going through a significant trauma, prompting me to start composing spontaneously without prior knowledge of composition or even basic chords. This led me to delve into classical composition, laying the groundwork for my musical journey.All those years of practicing piano and learning music theories and ear training helped me a lot in composition classes. Seeking more creative freedom, I became the arranger for a pop band in Iran. But I couldn’t find the kind of freedom I was looking for there. I loved using different chords like cluster or spooky, but every time the singer heard them, he’d frown, wondering what I was up to. So, in the end, the constraints of pop music left me unsatisfied.

In pursuit of greater musical expression, I delved into jazz harmony, captivated by its colours and rhythms. The search for a jazz piano teacher led me to Hami Keivan, a Berklee Jazz composition and performance graduate. His recognition that my music had a cinematic quality was a turning point.

Inspired by this discovery, I applied for Berklee college of music master’s degree in Valencia, Spain .When I got accepted, I knew paying the tuition was impossible even with my scholarship award, especially for Iranians given our currency’s low value. With 1 dollar equalling 51,000 Tomans, and the constant rise in prices, it’s a real challenge. Unfortunately, Iran doesn’t offer any student loans for those wanting to study abroad.To make my dream a reality, my parents went to extreme lengths. They sold our house, supported me financially, despite their own difficult circumstances. My father always says he invested in me.I’m here thanks to the boundless love from my parents and my unwavering passion for composing. It’s truly a journey guided by the warmth of the heart.
Luckily, right after graduation, I landed an internship in San Diego at Nuntius Productions Inc, working in Laurent Eyquem’s studio, known for movies like “Great War Diaries,” “The Red Tent,” “Clash of Futures,” “Momentum,” and “Copperhead.” This experience led me to edit music for “Shadow Land” directed by “James Bamford” and write additional music to “A World Divided.”
The end goal for me is to be a distinctive voice in the industry, creating a musical signature that’s instantly recognizable. I want my music to be so unique that anyone who hears it can hum along and identify it as mine without knowing me as a person.
Coming from Iran, with its beautiful traditional music, unique scales, and instruments, I aim to showcase these elements. Combining them with orchestral and hybrid elements creates a sound that resonates.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well,I’d call up my Marco Polo friend, Mandy, and ask her to join us since I’m still getting to know LA. Since I moved here, there’s been a lot of pressure, starting my life over, adjusting to a new lifestyle, and dealing with culture shock. After two months, I’m still struggling and Mandy has been a great support, encouraging me to explore the city.

I guess, we’d start with a nice walk around Santa Monica Pier or La Jolla, catching a beautiful sunset surrounded by palm trees. A visit to Universal Studios for a tour would be on the agenda, and for a tasty meal, we’d head to Little Italy in San Diego, enjoying the lively atmosphere.That’s all I know about LA and San Diego since I come here:))

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a big shoutout to my parents who support me unconditionally. They are the reason I’m here today.They believed in me every step of the way. I feel their love in every moment of my life.

A special mention to my composition teacher, Hami Keivan, who opened new doors in composing for me. He encouraged me to explore my talent in cinematic composing and introduced me to Berklee College of music. His support has been invaluable.

A heartfelt thank you to my SFTV group friends who have showered me with love and imparted valuable lessons on compassion and mutual assistance.

Website: https://ftabatabaee1.wixsite.com/farnaztabatabaee

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farnaz_tabatabae/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farnaztabatabaee/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553004260065

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP16Gi4bzTNm14F80vwoTzg

Other: Email : farnaztabatabaee26@gmail.com

Image Credits
Aida Redzepagic, Shabnam J. Kermani