Persian Pulse
Ayande
Ayande - the most common Persian-Farsi (Iranian) word for "future" is آینده (pronounced āyandeh or âyande). It is used as both a noun (the future) and an adjective (coming/future).
About the Music
The tune is centered around the Santur (an Iranian dulcimer). In addition, there's a Sarod and various percussion. The melody is a hybrid pseudo East Asian flute sound. See "About the Instruments" below for details.
Although the composition is composed of traditional Arabic and Indian (subcontinent) instruments, they are played in a very contemporary Western jazz like style. Iran, like this composition is an ancient sophisticated culture urging to break out of the bounds of deep-rooted traditions of the past and join the pulse of the modern-day contemporary world.
Instrumentation:
- Casio PX-S3000 - Santur, Sarod, Percussion
- Roland D-50 / JV-1080 - Lead (Melody)
© Richard Coffey - All Rights Reserved
About the Persian Culture
Ancient Iran, historically known as Persia, was the dominant nation of western Asia for over twelve centuries, with three successive native dynasties—the Achaemenid, the Parthian, and the Sasanian—controlling an empire of unprecedented size and complexity.
Home to one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations, Persia was the first empire known to have acknowledged the different faiths, languages, and political organizations of its subjects. Once a center for Zoroastrianism, Iran underwent Islamization following the 7th century CE Muslim conquest. Innovations in literature, philosophy, mathematics, medicine, astronomy and art were renewed during the Islamic Golden Age.
Iran has one of the richest art heritages in history and been strong in many media including architecture, painting, literature, music, metalworking, stonemasonry, weaving, calligraphy and sculpture. Iran's carpet-weaving has its origins in the Bronze Age and is one of the most distinguished manifestations of Iranian art. Carpet weaving is an essential part of Persian culture and Iranian art.
About the Instruments
Santur
The santur is a hammered dulcimer of Iranian origin.
- Santur
- Santur; What Iran is known for
- The Timeless Odyssey of the Santur: From Ancient Assyria to Persia and Beyond
Sarod
The sarod is a stringed instrument, used in Hindustani music on the Indian subcontinent. Along with the sitar, it is among the most popular and prominent instruments. It is known for a deep, weighty, introspective sound, in contrast with the sweet, overtone-rich timbre of the sitar, with sympathetic strings that give it a resonant, reverberant quality. A fretless instrument, it can produce the continuous slides between notes known as meend (glissandi), which are important in Indian music.
