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MUSIC OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Major Cultural Influences
• Persian culture (Iran, speak Farsi, adheres to Shia interpretation of Islam; historic Persian Empire)
• Arabic culture (Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait; speak Arabic)
• Turkish culture (Turkey, present day Afghanistan; speak Turkic; historic Ottoman Empire)
Major Religions
The Ottoman Empire (1299-1922)
Persian Empire (550 BC – 651 AD)
Influence of IslamArose in Arabia in 7th century; was unifying
force among Arabic tribes. Arabic language and culture begin to absorb Persian.
Islam and Music
• Koranic chant. Emphasis on written word (Koran is revealed word of God). Koran is important source for poetry, literature and song texts.– Example of Koranic chant.
• No tradition of instrumental religious music or religious dance (with exception of some sects).
Classical Music of Iran
TAR
SETAR
KAMANCHE
ZARB / DONBAK
NEY
SANTOUR
Music Theory• Dastgah:
• a mode, similar to Greek modes (but not limited to half and whole steps)
• 7 primary, 5 secondary• Basis for composition and improvisation• Includes pitches, scale patterns, melodic essence
(motif). Each has descriptive name and associated character
• Gusheh: • subdivision of a dastgah; “central nuclear melody”
• Radif:• Repertoire of several hundred melodies or
gushehs in all 12 dastgahs memorized by students and used as basis for improvisation and composition
Khandan/Musiqi Continuum
Khandan Musiqi
Chant
Unmetered
Improvised
Amateur
Solo
Vocal
Dance music (esp. belly dance)
Highly rhythmic
Precomposed
Professional
Ensemble
Instrumental
“Acceptable” “Unacceptable”
Persian Classical Music
• Transmitted in private concerts.
• Role of improvisation.
• Texture: monophonic or heterophonic.
• Melodies usually ornamented.
• Tense vocal quality.
• Section of concert devoted to one dastgah
Classical Concerts
• Section of concert explores a particular dastgah (usu. five instrumental or vocal pieces)
• Concerts• Open with rhythmic introductory piece (like
Pishdaramad)• Avaz (improvised, nonmetric) (considered high
point of concert)• Concluding section (rhythmic dance or light vocal)
Traditional 19th century Iranian court musicians playing kamanche, dombak, dayere, tar, santour
Indian and Persian Classical Music• Similarities:
• use complex system of pitches• have long history of performance and theoretical
writings about music• Monophonic or heterophinc• Transmitted in concerts• Passed on in oral tradition• Incorporate improvisation and composition
• Differences:• Persian tradition has no equivalent of tala• Ambivalent attitude of Islam towards music
Persian miniature (Tabriz School, 13th cent.)
Persian Carpets
Persian Calligraphy
EXAMPLES OF PERSIAN ART FORMS