Rouzbeh Rafie is an Iranian-born composer based in the Netherlands whose work draws inspiration from literature, folk traditions, and the intricate nature of memory. His music engages deeply with archetypes, remembrance, and the perception of time, seeking a sound world that feels at once ancient and contemporary. Central to his artistic vision is the metaphor of the Harmony of the Spheres, symbolizing hidden order within apparent chaos, and guiding his pursuit of harmony and coherence in contrast to the prevailing trends of experimentalism.
Rafie began his formal studies in composition at the Tehran University of Art with Sharif Lotfi and Kiawasch SahebNassagh. In 2011 he moved to Rome, continuing his education under Rosario Mirigliano at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia, and later studying with Ivan Fedele at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, where he graduated with top honors in 2018. He also participated in masterclasses with Salvatore Sciarrino, Tolibkhon Shakhidi, Khayyam Mirzazadeh, Tuivo Tulev, and Giacomo Manzoni.
His music has been performed internationally at venues and festivals including Parco della Musica and Sala Casella (Rome), Accademia Chigiana Summer Festival, Nuova Consonanza Festival, Musica Nova Festival (Helsinki), Solti Hall (Budapest), Roudaki Hall (Tehran), Stockholm Konserthuset, Festival Contrasti (Trento), Dumke Recital Hall (Salt Lake City, Utah), Mar del Plata Philharmonic (Argentina), New Music Miami Festival, Collège franco-britannique (Paris), Prague Microfest, Kokonainen-Musequal Festival (Finland), and Naples Dissonanzen Festival.
In 2021, Rafie won the Kokonainen-Musequal Composition Competition, leading to his nomination as Composer in Residence at Musequal (Finland) from 2022 to 2024. In 2024, he began a collaboration with pianist Alexandra Sostmann, which led to his appointment as Composer in Residence for the first edition of the Bach & now! festival in Agathenburg, Germany.
His works have been performed by ensembles such as Ensemble Contemporanea di Parco Della Musica conducted by Tonino Battista, Ensemble 900 conducted by Carlo Rizzari, Ensemble Imago Sonora, Ensemble Moto Contrario, NEMA Ensemble, and the Kokonainen-Musequal Strings Ensemble, as well as numerous distinguished soloists including Alexandra Sostmann (piano), Paolo Ravaglia (clarinet), Ginevra Petrucci (flute), Petri Kumela (guitar), and Kati Raitinen (cello). His collaborations extend to theater as well, working with directors Corinna Lenneis and Éva Patkó.
Rafie has been recognized with several prizes, including the “Adriana Giannuzzi” Study Prize (Rome Conservatoire, 2013), second prize at the “G. Petrassi” Competition (2014), the Ennio Porrino International Composition Competition (2020), first prize at the Musequal Composition Competition (2021), and a Distinction at the Prix CIME 2023 for his work Karân.
His works are published by Ermes 404 and he is a member of SIAE Italy
(IPI 891574791).
Short version
Rouzbeh Rafie is an Iranian-born composer based in the Netherlands whose music draws on literature, folk traditions, and the concept of memory. His works explore archetypes, remembrance, and the perception of time, aiming for a sound that is both ancient and contemporary.
He studied composition at the Tehran University of Art, later moving to Rome to study at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia with Rosario Mirigliano and at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia with Ivan Fedele, graduating with top honors in 2018.
Rafie’s music has been performed internationally at festivals and venues such as Accademia Chigiana, Nuova Consonanza, Musica Nova (Helsinki), Stockholm Konserthuset, Prague Microfest, New Music Miami, and Kokonainen-Musequal (Finland). In 2021 he won the Musequal Composition Competition, leading to a residency at the festival from 2022 to 2024. In 2024, his collaboration with pianist Alexandra Sostmann led to his appointment as Composer in Residence at the first edition of the Bach & now! festival in Germany.
His works are published by Ermes 404 and he is a member of SIAE Italy.