Rahmatollah Badiyi

Born in Kashan, Iran in 1936, Badiyi showed musical talent at a young age, being able to play by ear the Persian music he heard from the radio on violin. At age 11 he entered the Tehran Conservatory and studied classical music -- but also pursued a study of Persian music with Abol-Hasan Saba for five years. After graduating, he worked as concertmaster and soloist with many orchestras across the world and also was a professor at the National Conservatory of Music in Tehran.

In 1979, after the Islamic revolution in Iran, Badiyi and his family were forced to move to Holland to escape persecution both for their adherence to the Bah?'? Faith and for his musical profession. There he worked for the Symphony Orchestra of the Northern States until he retired from performing in 1999.