Introduction to Persian Music

Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures,

UCLA

Iranian 197A

Summer 2002

JUN. 24 - AUG. 2

Session A

TR 10:00 – 12:05

Public Policy 1256, UCLA

Instructor: Amir Hosein Pourjavady

This class is a general survey on the major musical traditions of Iran, with an extra focus on Persian classical music. It examines Persian music in historical, social, linguistic and cultural contexts. Musical forms, rules of improvisation, structure of the modal and metric systems, religious music, and finally regional folk traditions are among the subjects that will be discussed in the class. The lectures will be supplemented by guided listening sessions, video showings and live presentations. This is a six-week course and no prior knowledge of Persian language or music is required.

Additionally, the instructor will be available for a one-hour session following each class period for those interested in live demonstration and performance practice.

Amir Hosein Pourjavady is a Ph.D. student of Iranian studies at UCLA. A native of Iran, he received his BA in Music from Tehran University and his MA in Ethnomusicology from the CUNY Graduate School. He is also a professional setâr player and studied extensively with Dariush Safvat, Hossein Alizadeh and Dariush Talai.