Radif of Iranian music

Radif is the traditional repertoire of classical music of Iran that is the essence of Persian musical culture. More than 250 melodic sequences, called gushe, are organized in cycles, the basic mode constituting the backdrop to which are added the most diverse melodic motifs. Although the interpretation of traditional Iranian music is essentially based on the art of improvisation (depending on the mood of the artist and the reactions of the audience), the musicians devote several years to the acquisition of the mastery of the radif and the musical tools necessary for its interpretation and composition.

Radif formation is generally attributed to Ali Akbar Farahani. Farahani was a master musician in the court of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, who, with the help of his special position and because of his interest in preserving Iranian music (despite the cultural decline of his time), began to classify Iranian music. Farahani’s radif is not left today, but its traces can be found in all subsequent radifs.

Radif can be vocal or instrumental, using different instruments using different performing techniques, such as the tār, setār, santur, kamancheh, and ney. Transmitted orally from master to disciple, radif embodies the marriage of aesthetics with the philosophy of Persian musical culture.

No less than ten years of work are necessary for learning radif, during which the students must not only memorize the radif repertoire but also invest themselves in a process of musical asceticism intended to open the doors of spirituality. This treasure of great wealth lies at the heart of Iranian music and reflects the cultural and national identity of the Iranian people.

This treasure has been inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.