Music Making in Iran from the 15th to the Early 20th Century

Examines the music of Iran in its historical and social contexts from the Timurid period up until the end of the Qajar period (15th to early 20th centuries)

• Based on primary sources, including new discoveries of various documents ranging from musical treatises to song-text collections, travel accounts, biographies, musicians’ diaries and interviews, musical notations, paintings, photographs and early recordings
• Examines many aspects of music making during this period, incuding centres of musical patronage, the role of patrons, music theorists, music treatises, the social organisation of musicians, courtesan and concubine culture, and performance contexts
• Sheds light on the historical link between Persian music and the music of neighbouring regions – such as the Azeri mugam, Iraqi maqām, Tajik-Uzbek shashmaqom and the Uyghur on ikki muqam
• Discusses a diverse range of cases from Timurid, Safavid, Zand and Qajar periods

Music Making in Iran from the 15th to the Early 20th Century looks at the change and evolution of music in Iran from both social and theoretical perspectives. Amir Hosein Pourjavady scrutinises the emergence and development of modal entities, rules for modulation, the formation of court repertoires, the progress of rhythmic structures, vocal and instrumental genres and forms of composition. Through this lens, Hosein investigates how Iranian music has been impacted by Western influence, socio-political developments and contact with other musical cultures.