MUSIC OF THE MIDDLE EAST Major Cultural Influences

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 Islam Arose in Arabia in 7 th 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 NEY KAMANCHE SETAR ZARB / DONBAK 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 “Acceptable” Chant Unmetered Improvised Amateur Solo Vocal Musiqi “Unacceptable” Dance music (esp. belly dance) Highly rhythmic Precomposed Professional Ensemble Instrumental

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 19 th 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 Carpets Persian miniature (Tabriz School, 13 th cent. ) EXAMPLES OF PERSIAN ART FORMS Persian Calligraphy