Caravan

About

In 1971 I took a never-to-be-forgotten journey overland from Europe to New Zealand.

While traversing Iran by bus, I heard Persian vocal music for the first time, relayed over the sound system. It was intoxicating.

In Tehran I bought a 45 rpm disc recording that matched what I had heard on the bus. The music on the disc, entitled CARAVAN, has provided me with material for this composition/transcription.

As preparation violinists are strongly recommended to listen to a version of this recording, to familiarise themselves with the style of the articulation, which can only be hinted at in my notation.

This recording may be found on YouTube here: Golpayegani (Golpa) - Ey Carevan Ahesteh Ra (گلپا - ای کاروان). The section I draw material from begins at 7'02".

Intonation is intrinsic to this music. Note the unconventional key signature! The 'quasi-acciacatura' embellishments should be 'neutral 3rds or 6ths, that is, positioned mid-way between a major and a minor interval. An exception to this is Section C, which is an 'interlude' using conventional Western intonation.

(My thanks to Dene, Martin and Tristan, for their expert advice)