Nader Majd

Nader Majd, 80, of Ashburn, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Born on November 21, 1944, in Sari, Iran, he was the son of the late Nosrat Majd and the late Mansoureh Soururi Majd. Nader is survived by his beloved wife of over 40 years, Malihe Abirinejad Majd; his daughter, Raha Majd; and his son, Nima Majd — a musician in his own right. A man of towering presence and unfathomable depth, Nader was more than a musician, scholar, and teacher — he was a force of nature. Bigger than life. Bigger than death. Now, ominous. To know him was to witness the embodiment of millennia of Persian music, literature, and philosophy. His being radiated the wisdom of the ancients and the soul of an artist who channeled tens of thousands of years of culture through his fingertips, his voice, and his heart. We didn’t lose a man — we gained a deity among the gods of music and art. Another Apollo. Some called him a Renaissance man, but even that feels too small a word for someone who mastered so much: a gifted athlete in his youth, a scholar of literature and economics, and ultimately a maestro of Persian classical music. He received his doctorate in economics from Georgetown University, and went on to have a distinguished career as an economist at the World Bank, where he authored several influential papers — many of which remain available online today. Though his career in global development was remarkable, his calling ultimately led him back to the arts, where he would make his most lasting mark. Nader began playing music as a child, teaching himself the violin and santour by the age of six. But it was the tar that would become his lifelong companion and medium of transcendence. Through it, he built a community and a cultural sanctuary — a center for Persian classical music that blossomed into a space of intellectual and spiritual gathering, evoking the spirit of Socratic discourse. He was a composer of rare genius, with works rivaling those of Khaleghi and Khorram. His compositions, still being created in his final days, demand the grandeur of a national symphony to be fully realized — a dream that may yet come true. His influence was profound, his impact indelible. In addition to his many published works, Nader was working on three new books at the time of his passing, and his tireless recording continues to inspire. A library will be established in his name to preserve and honor the vast archive of cultural treasures he created over the past four decades. Nader believed in celebrating life even in the face of death. “We are all doomed,” he would say, not in despair but in affirmation — that what redeems us is the light within, the music echoing from the corners of the universe. Art. Music. Culture. Community. And above all, peace. This was his message. This was his legacy. He loved deeply, and was deeply loved in return. His teachings, his integrity, his boundless wisdom — all live on. In the hearts of those who knew him, and in the cultural psyche of Iranians and non-Iranians alike, Nader Majd is forever immortal. Music is the language of life, and Nader Majd spoke it fluently. A fire that burned in his soul now ignites a flame inside our hearts. We say thank you, Ostad Majd — khasteh nabashid. A memorial service to celebrate Nader Majd’s life will be held in the coming months, with date and time to be shared with all who wish to join us in honoring his memory and legacy. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in his honor — a living tribute to a life of growth, rootedness, and beauty. Those who wish to contribute to the creation of a library in his name may contact Raha Majd at rhmjd333@gmail.com To learn more about the Center for Persian Classical Music, which he established, please visit www.cpcm.com

Nader Majd

November 21, 1944 - September 14, 2025