Arsalan Kamkar

Arsalan Kamkar (Persian: ارسلان کامکار‎, Kurdish: Erselan Kamkar, born in 1960 in Sanandaj, Iran) is an Iranian-Kurdish musician from Iran. He learned the preliminaries of music from his father, Master Hassan Kamkar, and since childhood he performed in several ensembles directed by his late father.

Later he came to Tehran and studied music in School of Fine Arts. After the completion of his studies, he worked with Tehran Symphony Orchestra as violin player. In addition to violin which is his specialty instrument, he is a highly skilled Barbat (lute) and oud player and plays other string instruments as well.

He is now the concertmaster and soloist of Tehran Symphony Orchestra at the same time he is a valued member of Kamkarha, a music ensemble composed of him, his sister, his six brothers, and their children and spouses who are all exceptional musicians.

Kamkar is also a prolific composer and has composed many musical pieces in Persian classical music, Kurdish music and Western classical music, among them are: In memory of Ali Asghar Kurdistani, Zardi-e- Khazan (4 kurdish songs), Sorood-e Iran, Shoorideh Del, Kurdish Symphony Suite, Kamanche Concerto (joint piece with Ardeshir Kamkar), Shabahengam (joint piece with Hooshang Kamkar on Nima Yushij’s poems), Khak Symphony, Silk Road, the soundtrack for feature film “Mother” directed by late Ali Hatami, and Naghmeh Solh.

Kamkar's compositions are regularly performed in Iran and around the world. One of his well-liked symphonies is called Sarzamin-e- Pedariam (The Story of My Father's Land), written with his brother Ardeshir.

See also

• Kamkar
• The Kamkars
• Kurdish music
• Music of Iran