🎵Music of the Middle East Unit 7 – Persian Classical Music

Historical Context

• Persian classical music traces its roots back to the ancient Persian Empire, with influences from Zoroastrian religious rituals and court music
• Developed over centuries, absorbing elements from Arabic, Turkish, and Central Asian musical traditions
• Experienced a golden age during the Safavid dynasty (1501-1736), when music flourished under royal patronage
• Faced challenges during the Qajar dynasty (1789-1925) due to religious restrictions, but continued to evolve through private performances
• Underwent a revival in the 20th century, with the establishment of music conservatories and efforts to preserve traditional forms
  • Radif, the canonical collection of melodies, was codified during this period
  • Prominent musicians such as Ali-Naqi Vaziri and Rouhollah Khaleghi played key roles in the revival
• Continues to be an important part of Iranian cultural heritage, performed in both traditional and modern contexts

Key Characteristics

• Monophonic texture, with a single melodic line accompanied by percussion and drone instruments
• Improvisation plays a central role, with musicians elaborating on pre-composed melodies (gusheh) within a modal framework
• Melodies are often complex and ornate, featuring intricate embellishments and microtonal inflections
• Rhythms are generally non-metric, with a fluid and elastic sense of time
  • Exceptions include metric rhythms used in certain genres, such as the chahar mezrab
• Lyrics, when present, are often drawn from classical Persian poetry, expressing themes of love, mysticism, and spirituality
• Performances are intimate and emotionally charged, with musicians aiming to evoke specific moods (rasa) in the audience
• Emphasis on the concept of unity between musician, instrument, and listener, creating a shared spiritual experience

Instruments and Ensembles

• Traditional Persian instruments include:
  • Tar (long-necked lute)
  • Setar (four-stringed lute)
  • Santur (hammered dulcimer)
  • Kamancheh (spiked fiddle)
  • Ney (end-blown flute)
  • Daf (frame drum with metal ringlets)
  • Tombak (goblet-shaped drum)
• Instruments are often decorated with intricate inlays and carvings, reflecting the importance of visual aesthetics in Persian culture
• Ensembles typically consist of a melodic instrument, a drone instrument (such as the tar or setar), and percussion (tombak or daf)
  • In larger ensembles, multiple melodic instruments may be present, each taking turns playing the main melody
• Solo instrumental performances, particularly on the tar and setar, are also common and highly respected
• Vocal music is usually performed by a solo singer, accompanied by one or more instruments
  • Singers are expected to have a wide vocal range and the ability to execute complex ornamentations

Modal System (Dastgah)

• Persian classical music is based on a modal system known as the dastgah, which consists of seven main modes and five derivative modes (avaz)
• Each dastgah is associated with a specific mood, time of day, and sometimes a geographical region
• Dastgahs are composed of a sequence of melodies (gusheh) that follow a prescribed order and share common modal characteristics
  • Gushehs within a dastgah are connected by a common tonic and melodic motifs
  • Musicians improvise within the framework of the gusheh, creating variations and elaborations
• The seven main dastgahs are:
  • Shur
  • Mahur
  • Homayun
  • Nava
  • Segah
  • Chahargah
  • Rast-Panjgah
• The five derivative modes (avaz) are:
  • Abu Ata
  • Bayat-e Tork
  • Afshari
  • Dashti
  • Bayat-e Esfahan
• Modulation between dastgahs and avaz is possible, allowing for a wide range of emotional expression and musical complexity

Rhythmic Patterns

• Persian classical music primarily features non-metric, fluid rhythms that follow the natural flow of the melody and the poetry
• Rhythmic patterns are often improvised and can vary in length and complexity depending on the gusheh and the performer's interpretation
• Some gushehs, however, have specific rhythmic patterns associated with them, such as:
  • Chahar mezrab: a fast, metric rhythm in 6/8 time, often used in virtuosic instrumental pieces
  • Reng: a lively, dance-like rhythm in 6/8 time, usually played at the end of a dastgah
• Percussion instruments, such as the tombak and daf, provide a rhythmic foundation and punctuate the melodic phrases
  • Tombak players use a variety of strokes and techniques to create complex rhythmic patterns and improvisations
  • Daf players often use the instrument to create a sense of excitement and drive, particularly in faster pieces
• The interaction between the melodic instruments and percussion creates a dynamic and engaging rhythmic interplay that is central to the Persian classical music aesthetic

Notable Composers and Performers

• Ali-Naqi Vaziri (1887-1979): composer, tar player, and music theorist who played a key role in the revival and modernization of Persian classical music
  • Established the first music conservatory in Iran and developed a notation system for Persian music
• Rouhollah Khaleghi (1906-1965): composer, conductor, and music scholar who founded the National Music Society of Iran
  • Composed numerous works for orchestra and traditional ensembles, often incorporating Western compositional techniques
• Abolhasan Saba (1902-1957): tar and setar player, composer, and teacher who made significant contributions to the development of the radif
  • Trained many of the leading musicians of the next generation, including Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Hossein Alizadeh
• Mohammad Reza Shajarian (1940-2020): renowned vocalist known for his powerful and expressive voice, as well as his mastery of the radif
  • Collaborated with many leading instrumentalists and ensembles, and was a prominent figure in the international world music scene
• Hossein Alizadeh (b. 1951): tar and setar player, composer, and musicologist who has played a significant role in promoting Persian classical music both in Iran and abroad
  • Has composed numerous works for traditional and Western instruments, often exploring the boundaries between classical and contemporary music
• Kayhan Kalhor (b. 1963): kamancheh player and composer who has gained international recognition for his virtuosic performances and innovative collaborations
  • Has worked with artists from diverse musical backgrounds, including Indian sitar player Shujaat Khan and American string quartet Brooklyn Rider

Cultural Significance

• Persian classical music is deeply intertwined with Iranian cultural identity and heritage, serving as a symbol of national pride and resilience
• Performances often take place in intimate settings, such as private homes or small concert halls, fostering a sense of community and shared experience
• Music is seen as a means of spiritual expression and connection, with many gushehs and dastgahs associated with specific mystical or devotional themes
  • Sufi poetry, particularly the works of Rumi and Hafez, is frequently used as lyrics in vocal performances
• Persian classical music has influenced other musical traditions in the region, including Arabic, Turkish, and Hindustani classical music
  • The concept of the dastgah has parallels in the Arabic maqam and Turkish makam systems
• The music has also played a role in preserving the Persian language and literature, with many compositions drawing on the works of classical poets
• In recent years, Persian classical music has gained increasing recognition and appreciation worldwide, with performances and collaborations taking place in major international venues and festivals
  • This has helped to promote cultural understanding and exchange, as well as to introduce new audiences to the richness and beauty of the tradition

Modern Adaptations and Influences

• Contemporary Iranian composers and musicians have sought to expand the boundaries of Persian classical music, incorporating elements from Western classical, jazz, and world music traditions
• Electro-acoustic compositions and performances have become more common, with artists using technology to create new sounds and textures
  • Alireza Mashayekhi and Ata Ebtekar (Sote) are examples of composers working in this field
• Fusion ensembles, such as Chaartaar and Gabeh, have emerged, combining Persian classical instruments and forms with genres like rock, blues, and flamenco
• Iranian musicians in the diaspora have played a significant role in promoting and evolving Persian classical music, often collaborating with artists from diverse backgrounds
  • Sahba Motallebi (tar player) and Hafez Nazeri (setar player) are notable examples
• The influence of Persian classical music can be heard in the works of Western composers and musicians, such as:
  • Philip Glass: American minimalist composer who has incorporated elements of Persian music in works like "Passages" (1990)
  • Yo-Yo Ma: American cellist who has collaborated with Iranian musicians and explored Persian musical traditions through his Silk Road Project
• Persian classical music continues to evolve and adapt to changing social and cultural contexts, while remaining rooted in its rich historical and spiritual foundations
  • The tradition serves as a bridge between the past and present, connecting generations and communities through the power of music.