Houman Khalaj

Houman Khalaj (1980) is a Belgian-Persian Composer based in Brussels.

He is classically trained in piano and he holds master degrees in music theory, music writing, and music composition, He works as a freelance composer, orchestrator, arranger, artistic director, and music teacher in Brussels.

As the author of numerous compositions, Khalaj’s 2019 "Lullaby for Children of Syria” was performed by The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra in Antwerp, Belgium.

Additionally, his chamber music compositions have been performed by many diverse ensembles on an international scale.

His compositions are diverse in musical style and can be illustrated by his cross-cultural approach. Some of his works intricately combine Western classical music and avant-garde techniques with elements driven from the traditional and folk music of Persian culture, including Persian rhythm, quarter tones, modes, Dastgāh/Maqam/Mayeh. These elements are brought together in a contemporary context, showcasing his occasional exploration of a cross-cultural approach. In other compositions, he delves into the realms of Western classical music and avant-garde techniques, showcasing a diverse range of influences.

Houman wrote pieces for orchestras, wind bands, chamber and vocal music including songs and choirs, as well as electronic and electro/acoustic music. He is open to writing music for film, ballet, dance, opera and music theatre.

He is the founder and artistic director of the Euro-Persian Art Organization, where he tries to bring Persian and European music closer to each other. Under this organization, he founded a professional high-quality international ensemble, which is composed of award-winning soloists from prestigious European orchestras.

He was first introduced to the world of music through learning piano at the age of 13. His talent and interest in classical music encouraged him to move to Europe, specifically Belgium at a young age, where he received his education at the Conservatory of Leuven for three years. At the same time, he followed intensive private courses in classical piano, solfeggio, and general music theory.

In 2004 he began his musical education at the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium, where he studied piano performance for a year; under the supervision of the leading European classical pianist professor Ewa Korniszewska. His keen interest in courses, harmony, music theory and composition later led him to study at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp in Belgium.

In 2015, he successfully graduated in classical music from the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp in the field of music theory, music writing, and composition, under the supervision of Alain Craens, Wim Henderickx, Luc Van Hove, Frank Agsteribbe, Eric Donvil, Willy Vervloet, Hedwig Vanvaerenbergh, and Peter Thomas.

In 2020, he successfully graduated from The Royal Conservatory of Brussels (Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles), where he obtained his Master’s degree in Composition, under the supervision of Daniel Capelletti and Michel Lysight.

In 2021 he founded the Euro-Persian Art Organization.

In 2023, As composer in residence with the Euro-Persian Art Organization, his composition “Zarathustra No.1” written for orchestra, solo soprano and choir was performed by the Euro-Persian Art Ensemble in Bozar in Brussels, Belgium.

Houman Khalaj is a member of Sabam and the Union of Belgian Composers.

Work

Among his compositions, we can mention the following:

- Zarathustra No.1 for symphonic orchestra, solo soprano and choir

- ‘Piano solo’

- Song Cycle on Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam

- Takhte Jamshid

- String quartet No.1

- Triolism

- Parasto

- March

- Lullaby for Children of Syria

- In Search of Freedom

- Elegy for my father

- Eerste Zang

- A Plunge into Chaos

- Ferdosi

- Symphony No.1

- Solo Violin

- Rivoluzionario Marcia