Saz: Ashiq Hossein Asadi
Dayereh: Keyvan Pahlevan
About Toy
Research into the music of Azarbaijan, its rituals, and its diverse musical styles (including Asheqi, Azarbaijani,Arasbarani, Baku'i, etc) puts forth not only the great charm, good taste, and various methods of performing but also underlying broad themes which make this form of music stands as a unique one due to its wide variations. This music contains gorgeous melodies in both classical or traditional parts called Asheqi and contemporary or modern parts which comes under the general term of `the music of Azarbaijan'. A number of these melodies originally come from dances while others are played in weddings and ceremonies by Qaval and Balaban. Some of the pieces of Toy are directly related to that part of the music of Azarbaijan which is influenced by the muqam music. These pieces which are typically zarbi or reng are performed by instruments such as tar, qupuz, balaban, or qaval. Today, garmon is also used in such performances. In both Iran and Azarbaijan, many prolific composers have created a lot of great music based on the melodies of Toy through rearrangements of their orchestrations. In the present album, which is reminiscent of the most blissful moments of the people of Azarbaijan, we have endeavored to present the variations in styles and techniques. Thus, all the melodies collected in this album are those related to the weddings and ceremonies, and from among them, thirty one pieces are selected. We hope you would enjoy it.
Jahangir Nasri-Ashrafi
Published [02/03/2010]