The music of Iranian composer/performer Idin Samimi Mofakham (b. 1982) is deeply rooted in the traditional and regional music of his home country. Since 2015, he has been developing his own musical language based on non-Western tuning systems, just intonation and psychoacoustics. In 2023 he received his PhD from the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo with a research thesis on medieval tuning systems from Iran and their creative use in contemporary composition.
Since 2013, Idin has been the co-founder and artistic manager of Spectro Centre for New Music. Between 2015 and 2019, he was a board member and senior curator of the Tehran Contemporary Music Festival, the only international festival focusing on contemporary and experimental music in Iran. He plays in the experimental band Spectro Duo, which he founded with his wife, composer Martyna Kosecka. Their musical focus is on drone, noise, beat phenomena, glitch, field recording transformation, microtonality and oriental modalities.
Idin’s music has been performed or recorded by Orchestras and ensembles such as Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK), Iceland Symphony Orchestra (ISO), National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, Klangforum Wien, Microtub , POING, NyNorsk Messingkvintett, Explore Ensemble, Black Page Orchestra, AuditivVokal Dresden, Ostravská Banda, Stockholm Saxophone Quartet, Oslo Sinfonietta, Abbyss Quartet and, in Iran, most notably by Nivak Ensemble and Nilper Orchestra.
My sonic world is deeply rooted in exploring psychoacoustics and intonation, particularly within “rational intonation” and non-Western tuning systems. I draw inspiration from various temperament systems, “just intonation” techniques, non-octave divisions, and traditional practices, especially those centred on classical and medieval Iranian music.
The language of my music oscillates between solo acoustic compositions and intermedia works, blending acoustic instruments with electronics and video, as well as larger-scale projects for symphonic orchestras and operas. In each project, I aim to invite the audience into a multidimensional auditory experience, creating a personal sound world that interprets and reflects the social and political landscapes shaping our lives.