Uploaded October 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Recorded on March 15, 1997
Two of Iran’s most celebrated soloists joined forces in this performance of Persian classical music recorded at the Freer Gallery in 1997. In solos and duets, they explore the improvisational styles and emotive expressiveness unique to Persian music. Hossein Alizadeh, on the tār (Persian lute), has received two Grammy nominations, recorded more than two dozen CDs, and composed original soundtracks for award-winning feature films. Kayhan Kalhor, on the kamāncheh (Persian fiddle), was a founding member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad ensemble, earned three Grammy nominations, and recorded with the ground-breaking ensemble Brooklyn Rider. Alizadeh and Kalhor are accompanied by Pejman Hadadi on dombak.
Persian Classical Music
Hossein Alizadeh, tār
Kayhan Kalhor, kamāncheh
Pejman Hadadi, dombak
0:00–20:15 Solo: Hossein Alizadeh, tār
Gusheh (melody) dād-o bidād in dastgāhs (melodic modes) māhur and homāyun
20:40–35:40 Solo: Kayhan Kalhor, kamāncheh
Improvisation in dastgāh-e navā
36:02–1:20:30 Duet: Alizadeh and Kalhor
Improvisations in bayāt-e tork and dastgāh shur
1:20:50–1:28:30 Duet: Alizadeh and Kalhor
Improvisation in bayāt-e isfahan
Notes on the dastgāh and gusheh performed in this concert generously provided by Hesam Abedini (University of California, Irvine).
This podcast was coordinated by Michael Wilpers, manager of performing arts. Audio recording and editing by Andy Finch and Suraya Mohamed. Photographs of the musicians by Mohammad Kheirkah Zoyari and Ali Boustan. Web production by Gio Camozzi and Torie Castiello Ketcham. Copyediting by Ian Fry. Special thanks to the artists for granting permission to share their performances at the Freer and Sackler Galleries.
https://asia.si.edu/podcast/masters-of-persian-musichossein-alizadeh-and-kayhan-kalhor/
Recorded on March 15, 1997
Two of Iran’s most celebrated soloists joined forces in this performance of Persian classical music recorded at the Freer Gallery in 1997. In solos and duets, they explore the improvisational styles and emotive expressiveness unique to Persian music. Hossein Alizadeh, on the tār (Persian lute), has received two Grammy nominations, recorded more than two dozen CDs, and composed original soundtracks for award-winning feature films. Kayhan Kalhor, on the kamāncheh (Persian fiddle), was a founding member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad ensemble, earned three Grammy nominations, and recorded with the ground-breaking ensemble Brooklyn Rider. Alizadeh and Kalhor are accompanied by Pejman Hadadi on dombak.
Persian Classical Music
Hossein Alizadeh, tār
Kayhan Kalhor, kamāncheh
Pejman Hadadi, dombak
0:00–20:15 Solo: Hossein Alizadeh, tār
Gusheh (melody) dād-o bidād in dastgāhs (melodic modes) māhur and homāyun
20:40–35:40 Solo: Kayhan Kalhor, kamāncheh
Improvisation in dastgāh-e navā
36:02–1:20:30 Duet: Alizadeh and Kalhor
Improvisations in bayāt-e tork and dastgāh shur
1:20:50–1:28:30 Duet: Alizadeh and Kalhor
Improvisation in bayāt-e isfahan
Notes on the dastgāh and gusheh performed in this concert generously provided by Hesam Abedini (University of California, Irvine).
This podcast was coordinated by Michael Wilpers, manager of performing arts. Audio recording and editing by Andy Finch and Suraya Mohamed. Photographs of the musicians by Mohammad Kheirkah Zoyari and Ali Boustan. Web production by Gio Camozzi and Torie Castiello Ketcham. Copyediting by Ian Fry. Special thanks to the artists for granting permission to share their performances at the Freer and Sackler Galleries.
https://asia.si.edu/podcast/masters-of-persian-musichossein-alizadeh-and-kayhan-kalhor/
