Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MUSIC
Aside from traditional music, which is played in teahouses across the country, it's not easy
to find musical performances in Iran. That doesn't mean there aren't any musicians. But
government restrictions mean every public performance needs a licence, which is difficult
to obtain for anything modern or remotely political. Women performers were banned for
many years but now women-only concerts are commonplace.
Classical
For Iranians there is no distinction between po-
etry and lyrics, and traditional Persian music is
poetry set to a musical accompaniment. Like
epic poems, some 'epic songs' are very long and
masters can spend most of their lives memor-
ising the words.
Classical Persian music is almost always
downbeat and can sound decidedly mournful or, as one young Shirazi told us, 'depressing'.
Despite this, it remains hugely popular and you'll hear it in taxis and teahouses across the
country. Two singers particularly worth listening out for are Shajarian and Shahram Naziri,
both of whom have helped promote interest in classical Persian music internationally.
While the voice is usually central to this form of music, it is backed by several instru-
ments that have deep roots in Persian culture. Among the most common:
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tar -
a six-string instrument, usually plucked
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setar -
similar to the
tar
but with four strings
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nay -
generic name for various types of flute
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sorna -
similar to an oboe
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kamancheh -
a kind of four-stringed viola played like a cello
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santur -
dulcimer played with delicate wooden mallets
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tombak -
vase-shaped drum with a skin at the wide end
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dahol
and
zarb
- large and small drums respectively
The Kamkars, a Kurdish family ensemble, have
been celebrated for their concerts featuring tradi-
tional Iranian music and rousing Kurdish folk
songs. They tour in Iran and worldwide.
