Born in Iran, Kayhan Kalhor is a virtuoso kamancheh (Persian spiked fiddle) player and composer who is also a longtime member of the Silkroad Ensemble, the group founded by Yo-Yo Ma in 2000 to explore cross-cultural collaboration. Kalhor’s performances and compositions have helped popularize Persian music worldwide, and his discography includes collaborations with renowned genre-crossing ensembles such as the Kronos Quartet and Brooklyn Rider. His unique sound has led to his nomination for multiple GRAMMYs; in 2017, he shared a GRAMMY with the Silk Road Ensemble, highlighting his status as a leading voice in cross-cultural music-making.
A double concerto for cello, kamancheh, and orchestra, Venus in the Mirror was written in 2024 and co-commissioned by the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, the University Musical Society (Ann Arbor), and the Morgenland Festival Osnabrück. The work premiered in Hamburg with Yo-Yo Ma and Alan Gilbert. According to Kalhor, the work is “an ode to peace” and “a celebration of a 25-year friendship with Yo-Yo Ma,” whom he met in 1999. As Kalhor describes Venus in the Mirror in his program note on the work,
As a musician, I have always cherished the profound privilege of interpreting the voice of my musical culture and instrument in moments of solitude and alongside those I hold dear. Over the past 50 years, this freedom has enabled me to define my perception of life through the Arts. Amidst a world in turmoil, a 25-year journey of friendship and collaboration with a remarkable individual is a milestone that calls for artistic commemoration. This piece serves not only as a celebration of our bond but also as a reflection on the social interests and complexities in general and during the past few years, particularly the current situation and social nuances of my home country and the brave young Iranians, especially Iranian women.
The concerto, Venus in the Mirror, is a testament to peace and friendship. It was born out of a desire to create a moment of tranquility amid chaos and to explore the delicate balance of human existence. This theme resonates deeply in these complicated times.
©Jennifer More, 2025
