When precision meets passion and a strong sense of purpose is paired with charisma, the foundation for a successful solo career is set. In the case of young cellist Kian Soltani, these qualities come together seamlessly. Witnessing him perform on stage reveals an artist deeply committed to the music, his fellow musicians and his audience. As portrait artist, Soltani is curating an entire series of concerts in Hamburg during the 2025/26 season.
In the »Elbphilharmonie Talk«, Soltani discusses the balance between flexibility and stubborn determination, the influence of his Iranian heritage – his parents emigrated to Austria decades ago – and the role his teacher, Ivan Monighetti, played in shaping his artistic personality. A self-declared fan of film music in cinemascope format, Soltani shares his experience during the pandemic of creating orchestral soundscapes as a soloist using multiplay techniques, and how to reproduce this music live on stage (spoiler alert: it requires considerable technical effort and resources). He explains how the different tonal systems in Iranian and Westerm music can be harmonised – and what his father has to do with it. Among many other things, he also opens up about the greatest regret of his life, something he didn’t do years ago that continues to gnaw at him.
In Focus: Kian Soltani :Season 2025/26
Plenty of charisma, a melting cello sound and, of course, utmost virtuosity: Kian Soltani combines it all. He appears in Hamburg with three top orchestras, exquisite chamber music and even some classical Persian music.
