I’m super excited (and still kind of in disbelief) to share that my new composition Affinity will be performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra on June 27 and 28, 2025, as part of the Holland Festival.

The concert is called “Forbidden Echoes” and it brings together a bunch of amazing Iranian musicians and composers to collaborate with one of the most legendary orchestras in the world. It’s a really special project—and for me, deeply personal. It also marks an important step in a journey I’ve been on with close friends, whose creative support has shaped so much of my path.

About Affinity

Affinity is written for ney, Iranian percussion, and strings—a blend that represents everything I’ve been living and exploring over the past few years. It’s about connection, memory, and what it means to belong to more than one place at once.

Join Us in Amsterdam

You can find more details about the concert and the full program here: Concertgebouworkest – Forbidden Echoes

If you happen to be around Amsterdam in June, come by! It’s going to be a beautiful night full of sound, soul, and stories. Can’t wait to share this moment with all of you.

— Nader