Kayhan Kalhor is internationally renowned as the prime master of the kemenche, the Persian spike fiddle. The Iranian performer is also known for his collaborations with musicians from other cultures, such as Indian sitar player Shujaat Khan, Turkish saz wizard Erdal Erzincan, Malinese kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté, and American string quartet Brooklyn Rider. His project with the Rembrandt Trio is one of his most intriguing ones. Kalhor says: ‘You are not able to categorize it, it’s not jazz, it’s not classical music, it’s just something we do with our instruments and where improvisation is the key.’

The choice of instruments is quite remarkable to say the least. Kalhor of course plays the kemenche, the spike fiddle with its expressive sound that moves straight to the heart. Rembrandt Frerichs plays a fortepiano after a model from 1790, the kind of instrument Mozart played. Its sound lies between a piano and a harpsichord. Frerichs says: ‘I was attracted to it because it can sound like a tar (Iranian lute) or a santur (Iranian/Indian cymbalom). It has lesser overtones than a modern piano so it sounds more transparent, which gives more space to the other instruments.’

Kayhan Kalhor kemenche, Rembrandt Frerichs pianoforte, Tony Overwater double bass, Vinsent Planjer drum