Saba Alizadeh

Saba Alizadeh (b. 1983, Tehran) is an Iranian composer and kamancheh player whose work moves fluidly between Persian classical tradition and contemporary experimental sound practices. As both a performer and sound artist, he has developed a distinct language where the acoustic intensity of the kamancheh meets electroacoustic processing, modular synthesis, tape manipulation and live electronics.

Born into a major musical lineage as the son of master tar and setar player Hossein Alizadeh, Saba Alizadeh trained within Iranian classical traditions before expanding his practice into contemporary and experimental music. Alongside his instrumental studies, he pursued photography and later studied experimental sound art at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), shaping a multidisciplinary approach that continues to inform his work today.

His artistic output is rooted in tension and dialogue: between heritage and rupture, memory and present time, acoustic fragility and technological transformation. Field recordings, sampled Persian instruments and processed kamancheh lines often form dense, cinematic sound worlds that unfold as narrative structures rather than conventional compositions. Across his work, sound functions as both material and testimony—carrying subtle political and social resonances without losing its poetic dimension.

Alizadeh is also a central figure in Tehran’s experimental music scene. He founded Noise Works, a platform dedicated to sonic arts education and the development of emerging artists working with experimental and electronic music practices. His activities as a curator and educator have contributed to shaping a broader ecosystem for contemporary sound in Iran.

His discography spans internationally released albums on labels such as Karlrecords and 30M Records. These include ‘Scattered Memories’ (2019), his international debut blending field recordings and ambient textures; ‘I May Never See You Again’ (2021), marked by cinematic electroacoustic writing; ‘Temple of Hope’ (2025), reflecting on resilience and collective experience; and ‘Rituals of the Last Dawn’ (2026), a meditative two-part work exploring duration, presence and sonic minimalism through extended improvisation and real-time interaction with collaborators.

Beyond the studio, Saba Alizadeh has performed at major international venues and festivals including Berliner Philharmonie, CTM Festival, Reeperbahn Festival, Flow Festival, and Kölner Philharmonie, establishing himself as a distinctive live performer whose sets often unfold as immersive, spatial sound experiences.

His work has also extended into film music, with award-recognized scores for cinema, including international festival distinctions and nominations within European film institutions. Across both his concert and film work, Alizadeh constructs a musical language shaped by historical awareness and socio-political narratives, reflecting his ability to translate his sonic approach into a strong narrative and visual contexts.

Saba Alizadeh’s practice continues to evolve at the intersection of tradition and experimentation, positioning him as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary Iranian and international experimental music.