An Anthology of Contemporary Performance Styles
Santur : Mirza Ali Akbar Shahi , Hasan Khan , Habib Samayi , Hoseyn Saba , Hoseyn Malek
Reza Varzandeh , Mansour Saremi , Faramarz Payvar , Majid Kiani , Parviz Meshkatian
Santur (Iranian dulcimer) is one of the most sonorous musical instruments of Iran and is widely popular. Its sound in the old style of playing reminds one of starry skies in the nights of our country, especially in the towns near the two great arid deserts of Iranian plateau. Just like the music of Iran, the instrument has some unique peculiarities. Santur is capable of producing all the major gushehs of dastgahi music, as well as zarbis, chaharmezrabs and rengs. Some of the most beautiful masterpieces of santur played in the previous century are now preserved for posterity and serve as evidences of the wide range possibilities of the instrument. Among them one can mention the recorded legacies of Habib Sama'-Hozur, Habib Sama'i, Ali-Akbar Shahi, Reza Varzandeh and Faramarz Payvar. These are with no doubt masterpieces of performing art and creative activity related to this instrument.
In Mo'in's Persian Ditionary one reads: "Santur is one of the most ancient and one of the most complete of musical instruments in Iran. It is made of wood and has a trapezoidal shape with numerous strings extended over it. It is played by two finely cut wooden plectra held in both hands." Santur is made in several shapes in different parts of the world. As is evident from the reliefs and frescos, its primitive ancestor is though to exist in the Mesopotamian civilizations.
Published [16/12/2001]