Nagisa (harpist) explained
Nagisa |
Birth Date: | 6th–7th centuries |
Death Date: | c. 628 |
Nationality: | Persian |
Other Names: | Nakisa |
Occupation: | Harpist, Composer |
Known For: | Noted harpist and composer of Sasanian music in the royal court of Khosrow II |
Notable Works: | Royal Khosrowvani |
Nagisa or Nakisa was a noted harpist and composer of Sasanian music in the royal court of Khosrow II .[1]
Historical context
The music of Iran/Persia stretches to at least the prehistoric depictions of arched harps from 3300 to 3100 BCE, though not until the 224–651 CE Sasanian Empire is substantial information available. This influx of Sasanian records suggests a prominent musical culture in the Empire, especially in the areas dominated by Zoroastrianism. Many Sassanian Shahanshahs were ardent supporters of music, including the founder of the empire Ardashir I and Bahram V. Khosrow II was the most outstanding patron, his reign being regarded as a golden age of Persian music.
In addition to Nagisa, musicians in Khosrow's service included Āzādvar-e Changi, Bāmshād, Rāmtin, Sarkash and Bārbad, who was the most famous. These musicians were usually active as minstrels, which were performers who worked as both court poets and musicians; in the Sassanian Empire there was little distinction between poetry and music.
Court service and music
Nagisa is believed to have been of Greek origin.
She collaborated with Barbad[1] on her famous septet piece, the Royal Khosrowvani (سرود خسروانى). The main themes of her songs were in praise of King Khosrau II.
Barbad and Nagisa greatly influenced and contributed to the Persian musical system, Khosrowvani.[2] Accounts say that once Nakisa's audience was so moved by her performance that they passed out, or tore their garments (jame-daran).
Sources
- Books and Chapters
- Book: Curtis, Vesta Sarkhosh . Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis . 2003 . [{{google books|plainurl=y|id=xr7wES9T-ksC}} World of Myths ]. Persian Myths . . Austin . 978-0-292-70607-1 .
- Book: During . Jean . Jean During . Mirabdolbaghi . Zia . 1991a . The Art of Persian Music . Mage Publishers . Washington D.C. . 978-0-934211-22-2 .
- Book: During, Jean . Jean During . 1991a . The Art of Persian Music . Historical Survey . 31–56 . (In)
- Book: During . Jean . Jean During . Mirabdolbaghi . Zia . 1991b . The Art of Persian Music . The Instruments of Yesterday and Today . 99–152. (In)
- Book: During, Jean . Jean During . 1991b . The Art of Persian Music . Poetry and Music . 153–166 . (In)
- Book: Farhat, Hormoz . Hormoz Farhat . 2004 . [{{google books|plainurl=y|id=NiMhWnYDuQMC}} The Dastgah Concept in Persian Music ]. . Cambridge . 978-0-521-54206-7 .
- Book: Miller, Lloyd . Lloyd Miller (musician) . 2012 . [{{google books|plainurl=y|id=zfr1odMhpUsC}} Music and Song in Persia: The Art of Avaz ]. . Abingdon-on-Thames . 978-1-136-81487-7 . 6, 19.
- Journal and Encyclopedia articles
- Farhat . Hormoz . Hormoz Farhat . 2012 . An Introduction to Persian Music . Catalogue of the Festival of Oriental Music . . Durham .
- Encyclopedia: Lawergren . Bo . Bo Lawergren . Farhat . Hormoz . Hormoz Farhat . Blum . Stephen . Stephen Blum . 2001 . . Iran . . Oxford . 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.13895 . 978-1-56159-263-0 . subscription .
- Encyclopedia: Lawergren . Bo . Bo Lawergren . 2001 . . Iran . I. Pre-Islamic . (In)
- Encyclopedia: Farhat . Hormoz . Hormoz Farhat . 2001 . . Iran . II. Classical traditions . (In)
Further reading
Notes and References
- Book: Lloyd Ridgeon. Religion and Politics in Modern Iran: A Reader. 24 August 2013. 2 December 2005. I.B.Tauris. 978-1-84511-073-4. 174–.
- Book: Elton L. Daniel. ʻAlī Akbar Mahdī. Culture and Customs of Iran. 24 August 2013. 2006. Greenwood Publishing Group. 978-0-313-32053-8. 196–.