Sahba Aminikia’s Deltangi-ha (Nostalgies)

OVERVIEW

Notes from the composer

Deltangi-ha is a collection of my memories from my homeland, Iran, where I have spent most of my life. Tehran, the capital, where the essence of my Persian identity has formed, is the city of light, warmth, and spirit and has always had a special place in my heart. The first section “Tehran; first encounter” looks at Tehran, as I imagined, from the top of a hill or a mountain and sees the capital as a polluted, chaotic but deeply epic and cultural landscape. The second movement portrays my childhood during the infamous 1980s U.S.-sponsored Iran-Iraq war in which hundreds of thousands of Iranian and Iraqi lives were lost. The third movement simply talks about my first love under the snow in Tehran which I never found the courage to express to my loved one. The fourth movement is a rendition of a well-known theme that is used at the moment of the countdown for every Persian New Year I have been present for in Iran. The theme perfectly reminds every Iranian of the happiest moment of the year. The last movement is for those who are gone and it simply portrays my memories of them flying over the oceans trying to reach me. 

PERFORMERS

Marian Mayuga violin 
Francisco Malespin cello 
Ryan Senger piano 

SPONSORS

The Civic Fellowship Program is generously sponsored by The Julian Family Foundation.  
 
The Civic Orchestra Chamber Series is generously sponsored by Judy and Scott McCue, Neil and Karen Kawashima and other donors through the Civic Orchestra Chamber Access Fund. 

ABOUT

This work was featured on a chamber concert called “Between Here and There” curated by the 2023/24 Civic Fellows as part of their artistic planning curriculum. The work was then recorded on stage in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center.