History of Iranian Music

Designs, masonries and miniatures belonging to the pre-Islamic history of Iran all indicate Iranians’ interest and taste in music. In the post-islamic era, too, despite some opposition which made music lose its former success, this art survived. The survival of music the Safavid era can be found inChehel Sotun palac. and the music chamber ofAli Qapu Monumen in Isfahan.

Iran’s music is an amalgamation of tunes and melodies which have been created in the course of centuries Iran and have evolved along with other aspects of the Iranian life. They refelct the moral characteristics, as well as political, social events and geographical features of a countly with an ancient history. The subtlety and profundity of Iranian music leads man to reflection and deep thought and takes him to a celestial world, Iranian music includes the following branches:

1-The pre-Islamic music (the music of ancient Iranian tribes such as, Bakhtyari, Kordi, Lori, etc.)

2-The post-Islamic music:

a)Maghaml (mystic) music; This music includes epic music, tyric music for marriage, birthday and other happy occasions, and elegiac music for mournful occasions.

b) Radif music which Includes the Dastgahs(modes) of Traditional music.

In the contemporary era, Iranian music includes three branches; the two above-mentioned groups in addition to a third one which is Iran’s national music. This branch covers the traditional melodies of the two above groups, but with a classic rendition.

According to the new classifIcation of Iranian Awaz (songs) and modes, which has been set since a century ago, Iran’s traditional singing and music has been divided Into 12 groups. The seven groups which are wider and more independent are called Dastgah (mode) and the other five groups which are not independent and have been derived from the Dastgahs or modes are called Awaz (a group of melodies with the same gamut.) So, Iran’s present traditional music is only a remainder of the former 12 Maghams (modes) and what we have today is a very small part of the Iranian traditional music. The seven main Dastgahs (modes) and the five Awaz groups have several pieces (gushe) which are now the models of the contemporary musicians and singers. The number of these pieces (gushes) is said to be 228. The varoius and well-known Radifi (Iranian classical music) of the masters of the 100-year old Iranian traditional music such as Agha Hosein GhoMirza Abdollali, Darvish Khan, and Saba follow the same order.

The Dastgahs (modes) and Awazes (melodies) in iran’s Traditional Music.

The seven main Dastgahs or modes are: Shoor, Mahoor, Homayoon, Segah, Chahargah, Nava, and Rast Panjgah. The five Awazes or melodies are: Isfahan, Abou Ate, Bayat-e-Tork, Afsharl and Dashti.