Nowhere in the world is poetry more highly valued than in Iran, so it
is not surprising that the singing of poetry is central to Persian
musical culture. Furthermore, the values of music and dance are a major
topic of Persian poetry, especially that of such highly musical poets as
Rumi (13th century) and Hāfez (14th century). One of Rumi’s verses
addresses the musician (motreb) as one who inspires ecstasy (tarab) and
thus reveals the very essence of prayer.
is not surprising that the singing of poetry is central to Persian
musical culture. Furthermore, the values of music and dance are a major
topic of Persian poetry, especially that of such highly musical poets as
Rumi (13th century) and Hāfez (14th century). One of Rumi’s verses
addresses the musician (motreb) as one who inspires ecstasy (tarab) and
thus reveals the very essence of prayer.
Music is based on poetry in several respects. As they prepare a
performance, singers choose lines from a number of poems in different
poetic meters. They must next establish a compelling sequence of musical
forms, tunes and rhythms, in order to dramatize shifts from one poem to
the next. Intriguing connections as well as striking contrasts in the
topics and images of the poems emerge as the musicians pass from one
combination of melody and rhythm to another.
performance, singers choose lines from a number of poems in different
poetic meters. They must next establish a compelling sequence of musical
forms, tunes and rhythms, in order to dramatize shifts from one poem to
the next. Intriguing connections as well as striking contrasts in the
topics and images of the poems emerge as the musicians pass from one
combination of melody and rhythm to another.
