Alice Sirooni

Anahid Alice Sirooni (March 11, 1921 - February 28, 2011)[1] was an American composer[2] and pianist [3] who toured and recorded commercially.

Sirooni was born in New York to Aroose Vartanian and Ardshir Sirooni.[1] She earned a diploma in piano from the Juilliard School[4] in 1939 and a postgraduate diploma in 1942.[5]

Sirooni made her debut as a pianist in a recital at Town Hall in New York City on February 27, 1945. An unattributed review in the New York Times noted that “Miss Sirooni’s audience greeted her playing with enthusiasm.” [6] On March 11, 1951, Sirooni presented the New York premiere of John Haussermann’s Symphonic Preludes at Town Hall, which was also reported in the New York Times.[7]

Sirooni toured throughout the eastern United States and appeared on TV and radio with soprano Ruth Bishop and tenor Bruce Amory as the Amory Bishop Sirooni Trio.[8] She also presented recitals with violinist Herbert Baumel.[9]

In 1952, Sirooni requested an audition with Rudolf Serkin, presumably because of his connection with the Curtis Institute and the Marlboro Music School and Festival. His response is unknown.[10]

Sirooni recorded LPs for Concert Classics, a division of RME whose recording were distributed by Renaissance Records.[11] Her LPs included:

• Keyboard Favorites #A4149[12]

• Romantic Contemporary Composers #7149[13]

• Trilogia En La Muerte De John F. Kennedy #4150[11]

Sirooni contributed exercises on “Finger Independence” and “Repeated Notes” to the collection Technical Control for the Modern Pianist by Albert De Vito.[14] Her works for piano were published by Kenyon Publications,[15] and included:

• Poeme[16]

• Prelude in e minor[15]

• Rondo in E Flat[15]