For many audiences, contemporary and avant-garde music can feel intimidating. Complex rhythms, unusual harmonies, and experimental structures challenge traditional listening habits. When I founded ENSEMBLE / PARALLAX, my goal was to create experiences that make this music not only accessible but emotionally compelling. Over the years, I’ve discovered that the key lies in collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
The Role of Multimedia
One of the most exciting tools we use is multimedia. Every composition we perform is paired with visuals designed specifically for that piece. Video artists, choreographers, and designers work alongside musicians to create a fully immersive performance. Multimedia doesn’t distract from the music—it amplifies it. Audiences can see the textures, dynamics, and emotional contours of the sound, making complex music easier to experience and understand.
Learning from the Masters
My approach to conducting has been shaped by a remarkable lineage. I studied with Emilio Pomarico, who trained under Sergiu Celibidache, one of the most influential conductors of the 20th century. Their teachings emphasized memory, deep structural understanding, and the integration of Eastern and Western philosophies into performance. These principles guide how I interpret contemporary works and how I teach my students to engage with challenging repertoire.
Avant-Garde Inspirations
Early in my career, I was captivated by the music of Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern. Their innovations opened doors to new ways of hearing and structuring sound. Later, composers like Luigi Nono, Pierre Boulez, Georg Friedrich Haas, Salvatore Sciarrino, and Toshio Hosokawa profoundly influenced my work. Conducting these compositions requires careful preparation, sensitivity, and a willingness to explore textures that often push traditional boundaries.
Making the Music Come Alive
The magic happens when musicians and audience members feel fully present with the music. Conducting by memory allows me to connect more directly with the ensemble, responding to their energy in real time. When rehearsals integrate multimedia, movement, or spatial elements, the performance transforms into an immersive experience. Audiences are no longer passive listeners—they become participants in the unfolding musical journey.
Collaborating Across Disciplines
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do at ENSEMBLE / PARALLAX. Working with visual artists, choreographers, and composers requires openness, communication, and trust. Each collaborator brings a unique perspective, and integrating these ideas results in performances that are richer and more dynamic than any single element could achieve alone. Collaboration teaches musicians to listen beyond the notes and engage with the broader artistic vision.
Teaching Through Performance
I also carry these experiences into teaching. I encourage students to internalize the music, understand its structure, and consider how movement, visuals, and space influence interpretation. Students learn to lead with presence and to think creatively about performance. By exposing them to contemporary works and multimedia collaborations, they gain confidence in approaching challenging repertoire and exploring new artistic possibilities.
Premiering Innovative Works
One of the highlights of my career was conducting the first fully staged U.S. production of Georg Friedrich Haas’s opera ATTHIS in New York City. The performances were sold out and received critical acclaim from the New York Times. Experiences like this demonstrate that avant-garde music can reach wide audiences when presented thoughtfully and with imagination. Multimedia, choreography, and a clear artistic vision turn complex music into a visceral and unforgettable experience.
Connecting with Audiences
Avant-garde music often requires guidance for audiences. Multimedia can provide context, highlight motifs, or emphasize emotional arcs. My goal is to make each performance engaging, memorable, and approachable without compromising artistic integrity. When audiences leave a concert talking about what they saw and felt, it confirms that the combination of music and interdisciplinary collaboration has succeeded.
Exploring My Published Works
For those interested in exploring my compositions, my works are published and available through the American Composers Alliance. These pieces reflect my approach to structure, texture, and multimedia integration, offering a window into the principles that guide my conducting and teaching. You can explore my published music here: Farzinpour Music Collection. Engaging with these works helps listeners and students understand the connection between composition, interpretation, and performance.
The Future of Avant-Garde Performance
Looking ahead, I am excited by the possibilities of integrating technology, multimedia, and interdisciplinary collaboration even further. Virtual reality, interactive projections, and real-time digital elements will allow audiences to experience music in entirely new ways. By embracing innovation while remaining grounded in a deep understanding of the music, conductors can bridge tradition and experimentation, making avant-garde music resonate with new generations.
A Living Artistic Journey
Ultimately, leading avant-garde music is a journey of discovery. Every performance, rehearsal, and collaboration teaches something new. Conducting is not just about leading musicians—it is about creating shared moments of beauty, connection, and insight. At ENSEMBLE / PARALLAX, I strive to make every concert a living experience where music, visuals, and movement come together to inspire, challenge, and move audiences. This is the future of performance, and it is a journey I am proud to share with musicians, students, and listeners alike.