Kalhor is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso on the kamancheh, a musical instrument also known as the Persian spiked fiddle. The Tehran-born musician has attracted audiences around the world—from North America to the Middle East to Europe—for both his solo performances and his concerts with international ensembles.
Kalhor began his musical training in Iran when he was seven years old. Six years later, he was invited to work with the National Orchestra of Radio and Television of Iran, where he performed for five years. At the age of 17, Kalhor began working with the Shayda Ensemble of the Chavosh Cultural Center, regarded as one of the most prestigious arts organizations in Iran at the time.
In addition to performing, the renowned musician has also composed music for musicians including vocalists Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Shahram Nazeri, and has also composed music for television and film. He was most recently featured on the soundtrack of Francis Ford Coppola’s Youth Without Youth in a score that he collaborated on with Osvaldo Golijov.
Kalhor is an original member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project and his compositions—Blue as the Turquoise Night of Neyshabur, Silent City and Mountains Are Far Away—are featured on all three of the Ensemble’s albums.
A few of his recent recordings have also been nominated for Grammys: Faryad, Without You and The Rain. His newest CD Silent City, with the innovative ensemble Brooklyn Rider, was released on the World Village label in September 2008 to critical acclaim.
For information on the musician’s tour dates, visit Kalhor’s website: http://www.kayhankalhor.net/
