Chang‑e Rudaki
| "Chang-e Rudaki" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Ruhollah Khaleghi | |
| Language | fa |
| Released | mid‑20th century |
| Recorded | with vocals by Marzieh and Gholam-Hossein Banan |
| Lyricist(s) | Rudaki |
Chang‑e Rudaki (In Persian language: چنگ رودکی); lit. “Rudaki’s Lyre”) is a notable Persian vocal-instrumental song composed by Ruhollah Khaleghi in the Bayat-e Esfahan mode, set to a classical qasida by the 10th-century poet Rudaki, beginning with the famous verse "Būy-e ju-ye Mūliyān āyad hamī".
Background and poetic origin
The lyrics are adapted from Rudaki’s qasida "Būy-e Jūy-e Mūliyān āyad hamī". According to *Dehkhoda Dictionary*, “Mūliyān” refers to a river near Bukhara and a region endowed with gardens by Isma’il Samani for his Mowāli servants.[1][2] Traditional accounts suggest that Rudaki composed the poem during a prolonged stay near Herat on a journey with Nasr II. However, modern scholars argue the poem may have originated in Nishapur or Merv.[3][4]
Musical characteristics
The piece opens with a fast-paced overture in 2/4 time, featuring motifs spanning a perfect fourth. Despite its Bayat-e Esfahan foundation, the composition avoids microtones characteristic of that mode, resulting in a tonal atmosphere reminiscent of Dastgāh-e Mahur.[5] The main vocal section is in 3/4 (sometimes perceived as 6/8), with a melody that emphasizes the second and third scale degrees. The female vocalist (Marzieh) initiates the performance with a syncopated entry ahead of the first beat; after the line “zir pāyam pahnīān āyad hamī”, the male singer (Banan) enters on the downbeat. Beginning with the male vocal, the tonal center shifts to Dastgāh-e Shur, and the texture transitions from legato to more detached phrasing. The phrase “shād bāsh va dīr zī” reaches a vocal climax with tonal shades of the *Bīdād* gusheh in Dastgāh-e Homayun, before returning to Bayat-e Esfahan. Later passages explore Dastgāh-e Dastī and Homayun before returning to the original mode. The piece concludes by restating the introductory overture as a closing passage.[6][7][8][9]
Performances and reception
The song was first broadcast on Iranian radio *Golha Rangarang*, episode 254, featuring Marzieh and Gholam-Hossein Banan.[10] Musicologist *Kamyar Salavati* described *Chang-e Rudaki* as “one of the most brilliant pieces in the history of Iranian music”.[5]
References
- ^ "مولیان". Dehkhoda Dictionary (Vajehyab) (in Persian). Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "مولیان (۲)". Dehkhoda Dictionary (Vajehyab) (in Persian). Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ Shafaq, Isma'il (2011). "Rudaki's Qasida "Būy-e Jūy-e Mūliyān" was composed in Nishapur, not Herat". Matn‑shenāsī‑ye Adab‑e Fārsī (in Persian). 3 (2): 53–55. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ Shafaq, Isma'il (2011). "Rudaki's Qasida… continued". op. cit. (in Persian). 3 (2): 55–60.
- ^ a b Salavati, Kamyar (2014-04-06). "Analytical study of Chang‑e Rudaki (I)". Harmony Talk (in Persian). Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ Salavati, Kamyar (2014-04-24). "… (II): rhythm and entry". Harmony Talk (in Persian). Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ Salavati, Kamyar (2014-04-30). "… (III): tone shifts". Harmony Talk (in Persian). Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ Salavati, Kamyar (2014-05-07). "… (IV): modal combination". Harmony Talk (in Persian). Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ Salavati, Kamyar (2014-05-07). "… (V): closing passage". Harmony Talk (in Persian). Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "Golhā Rangarang 254". Golhā Archive (in Persian). Retrieved 2025-06-10.