Composer

:

Constantinople

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

2005

Average_duration

:

2:31

Châhâr-gâh is a musical composition by Constantinople, a Canadian ensemble that specializes in early music from the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The piece was composed in 2011 and premiered in Montreal, Canada, on November 17 of the same year. Châhâr-gâh is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a different mode or maqam from Persian classical music. The first movement is based on the Dastgah-e Homayun, a mode that is associated with joy and celebration. The second movement is based on the Dastgah-e Shur, a mode that is associated with longing and melancholy. The third movement is based on the Dastgah-e Nava, a mode that is associated with love and devotion. The fourth and final movement is based on the Dastgah-e Mahur, a mode that is associated with courage and heroism. The characteristics of Châhâr-gâh are rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The piece features a variety of instruments, including the oud, the ney, the kemenche, and the percussion instruments tombak and daf. The ensemble's use of these instruments creates a unique and evocative sound that is both ancient and modern. Châhâr-gâh is a testament to the enduring power of traditional music and the ability of contemporary musicians to breathe new life into ancient forms. Constantinople's composition is a beautiful and moving tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, and a testament to the enduring power of music to connect people across time and space.

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