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Composer and musician Kayhan Kalhor on “Silent City"

Replenish your sense of meaning

Kayhan Kalhor shares the story of composing and performing “Silent City” his epic 25-minute piece for the kamancheh (Persian spike fiddle) and ensemble. It’s a specific story about writing music to memorialise a devastating event, but the takeaway is universal: When life feels too much to bear, create art that means something — for yourself and for others.

Kayhan Kalhor is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso on the kamancheh (Persian spiked fiddle), He’s an original member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, and his compositions appear on all of the Ensemble’s albums. Recent albums include "Silent City" a collaboration with Brooklyn Rider, and "I Will Not Stand Alone" with santoor player Ali Bahrami Fard. Kayhan has been nominated for three Grammys and in 2017 was awarded a Grammy with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble.

Get the transcript at sparkandfire.com/silentcity

Release date:

30 minutes