Persian Dastgāh Music

The voice of Sepideh Raissadat meets the Sepidar Ensemble on a journey through Persian classical music, rooted in the Dastgāh: the modal system that serves as one of its most profound foundations. More than a mere collection of scales or melodic structures, the Dastgāh is a form of musical thought, passed down through oral tradition from master to pupil and continually reinvented in the very act of performance. Codified in its modern form during the Qajar period between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries, it remains a vital element of Iranian musical culture. Its richness arises from the delicate balance between memory and invention, between a structured repertoire and expressive freedom. The Sepidar Ensemble immerses itself in this tradition not to replicate its ancient forms but to capture its most vibrant spirit: staying true to one’s roots inherently requires renewal. In this encounter, the past does not fade; it resonates as a living voice, opening new horizons for the listener.