Classical Guitarist Traverses 'Hemispheres'

Published July 25, 2006 at 2:35 PM EDT

Originally from Iran, classical guitarist Lily Afshar stayed in the United States after the Islamic revolution in her homeland. Like her life, her music crosses continents.

On her latest CD, Hemispheres, Afshar showcases music inspired by traditional Persian songs; she also plays the sehtar (a three-stringed Persian lute).

Afshar comes from a musical family. Her father was a pianist and violinist, and encouraged his daughter to pursue classical guitar. She is now the head of the guitar program at the University of Memphis.

Afshar talks to Robert Siegel about how her father presented her with her first guitar, the qualities and traditions of Persian music and the only concert she ever cancelled.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

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