The tradition of Persian art music embodies
twelve modal systems, known as dastgahs. Each
dastgah represents a complex of skeletal melodic
models on the basis of which a performer produces
extemporised pieces. The dastgahs revolve
around unspecified central nuclear melodies
which the individual musician comes to know
through experience and absorption. It is a
personal and elusive tradition of great subtlety
and depth.
Ten of the twelve model melodic patterns
(dastgahs) are represented here, in a variety
of instrumental and vocal performances.
With every purchase comes documentation
that explains not just the sounds but their
circumstances -- their who, what, when and
why.
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