IRAN
Classical Music of Iran – Dastgah Systems – Volume Two – Folkways Records FW 8832, released in 1966 (LP)
I am delighted to present volume 2 of this seminal double LP released in 1966 on the great label Folkways Records which introduced Persian classical music to Western listeners.
Like Indian raga and Arabic maqam, Persian dastgah—which is organized into seven dastgah systems and five secondary avaz systems—are primarily melodic systems that provide a framework for improvisations meant to evoke particular moods and emotional expressions. These complex musical forms are traditionally transmitted orally from teacher to student.
These recordings showcase exquisite vocals by Hossein Fakhtei (1935-1987) (A1) and Khatereh Parvaneh (1930-2008) (B2), as well as delicate and timeless solos by outstanding masters, including Ali Tajvidi (1919-2006) (A1) on the violin, Mohamad Heydari (1939-2016) (A3) on the santur, Houshang Zarif (1938-2020) (A2, B1) and Ahmad Ebadi (1906-1993) (B3) on the long-necked tar lute, and Naser Eftetah (1935-1987) (A1) on the tombak drum.
J'ai le plaisir de présenter le volume 2 de ce double album, sorti en 1966 sur le grand label Folkways Records, qui a fait découvrir la musique classique persane aux auditeurs occidentaux.
À l'instar du raga indien et du maqâm arabe, le dastgah persan, organisé en sept systèmes de dastgah et cinq systèmes d'avaz secondaires, est avant tout un système mélodique offrant un cadre pour des improvisations évoquant des ambiances et des émotions particulières. Ces formes musicales complexes sont traditionnellement transmises oralement, de maître à élève.
Ces enregistrements présentent les voix exquises de Hossein Fakhtei (1935-1987) (A1) et de Khatereh Parvaneh (1930-2008) (B2), ainsi que des solos délicats et intemporels joués par les virtuoses Ali Tajvidi (1919-2006) (A1) au violon, Mohamad Heydari (1939-2016) (A3) au santur, Houshang Zarif (1938-2020) (A2, B1) et Ahmad Ebadi (1906-1993) (B3) au luth tar à long manche, et Naser Eftetah (1935-1987) (A1) au tambour tombak.
A1 – Dastgah of Segah
Ali Tajvidi, violin, Naser Eftetah, tombak drum, and Hossein Fakhtei, vocals.
A2 – Avaz of Bayate Tork (Secondary Dastgah of Shur)
Houshang Zarif, long-necked tar lute.
A3 – Dastgah Of Rast – Panjgah
Mohamad Heydari, santur.
B1 – Avaz of Abu Ata (Secondary Dastgah of Shur)
Houshang Zarif, long-necked tar lute and Khatereh Parvaneh, vocals.
B2 – Dastgah of Nava
Mohamad Heydari, santur.
B3 – Avaz of Dashti (Secondary Dastgah of Shur)
Ahmad Ebadi, long-necked tar lute.
Our other Persian/Iranian music posts:
Traditional Persian Music – Ahang Rooz Record Company here
Four Strokes – Parviz Yahagi & Ali Tajvid – Royal RT 430 – RT 706 here
Music of Iran – Seven Seas – Ethnic Music of the World Series – GXC-5004 here
Iran Musique Traditionnelle – Disques Alvarès EX 1514 here
Musique Persane Vol. 2 – Vogue EXTP 1034 here
Music of Iran – Santur Recital – Nasser Raster-Nejad – Lyrichord LLST 7135 here
Music from Baluchestan – Mirror and Song – Cassette 11 here
Musiques d'Orient – Les Mariés du Bout du Monde – LDX 74478-79 here
Photograph below is from Falnama: The Book of Omens by Massumeh Farhad & Serpil Bagci, Thames & Hudson, 2009:
Sun from the H.1702 Falnama. Iran, Safavid period, 1580s:
“Carried aloft by four angels, a majestic, human-faced sun disk illuminates a cloud-streaked sky with its golden rays. According to Islamic astronomy, the Sun is the fourth of seven planets, a calculation based on its distance from Earth in ascending order. It rotates within one of the seven spheres (falak) while the constellations, including the twelve signs of the zodiac, occupy the eighth. During the course of twelve months, the Sun also travels through the zodiac. This movement, in part, forms the basis of astrological investigations, the most popular form of divination, which allegedly also affects human behavior.”
(Wikimedia Commons)
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