Contemporary classical composer Sahba Aminikia came to San Francisco as a refugee. Born and raised in Iran in the '80s, he left as a young man to study music in Russia, and was a graduate student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
The music he composes is deeply tied to his Iranian roots — he’s written pieces inspired by traditional work songs of Persian carpet weavers, or incorporating the voices of Iranian women whose singing has been stifled by religious restrictions.
Aminikia came into KALW’s studio to talk about his music and where it comes from, in this edition of Bay Area Beats.
Sometimes you realize you have to take advantage of that moment, find some kind beauty in that ... otherwise you wouldn't be able to continue.
A commissioned piece of Sahba Aminika's music will be performed this Saturday, January 27 at the Conservatory of Music in San Francisco.
This story originally aired in February of 2017.
Click the audio player above to hear the full story.
