MUSIC | Kayhan Kalhor to stage exotic Sept concert

Four-time Grammy nominee Kayhan Kalhor

The Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) will stage an Indo-Persian concert that promises to transport the audience to the cradles of ancient civilizations, to the exotic melodies of Persia’s dastgah and Northern Indian raga. Kayhan Kalhor & Friends will play at CCM’s grand auditorium on September 4 (Friday).
Iranian kamancheh master Kayhan Kalhor is travelling with a group of musicians blending two musical traditions that for centuries have been historically, geographically and culturally intertwined. His ensemble will play a set of rare instruments including the santour, the tabla and the sitar.
The four-time Grammy nominee has collaborated extensively with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble (which has played in Macau) and with composer Osvaldo Golijov. Kalhor’s frequent international musical ventures combine classical precision and creativity, giving him the opportunity to play with the Kronos Quartet, Brooklyn Rider and the New York Philharmonic. Besides having recorded with great Iranian instrumentalists, Kalhor has composed for television and film, including the soundtrack of Francis Ford Copolla’s “Youth Without Youth” (2007).
CCM will organize a free admission pre-show talk for those who want to learn more about the Iranian performer. Presented in English by Mexican musician Raul Saldaña, the session takes place at CCM one hour before the concert. The speaker is expected to share insightful views on Kalhor’s background and repertoire, with a special focus on world music and instruments.