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