History of Assyrian Music
THE OLDEST SONG IN THE WORLD!
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The oldest song in the world is a matter of debate among musicologists and historians. However, one of the oldest known pieces of music is a fragment of a hymn to the goddess Nikal.
Prof. Anne Draffkorn Kilmer: The tablets from the Syrian city of ancient
Ugarit (modern Ras Shamra) were about 3400 years old, had markings
called cuneiform signs in cuneiform script, in the hurrian language (with borrowed akkadian terms)
that provided a form of musical notation.
The song, it turns out, is in the equivalent of the diatonic "major" ("do, re, mi") scale.
This evidence both the 7-note diatonic scale as well as harmony existed 3,400 years ago flies in the face of most musicologists' views that ancient harmony was virtually non-existent (or even impossible) and the scale only about as old as the Ancient Greeks, 2000 years ago. Said Crocker: "This has revolutionized the whole concept of the origin of western music."
"Tonality", which is defined as a "loyalty to a keynote", is also exhibited in the oldest song by repeating phrases found at the end of sentences, usually on the same note as the keynote of the tune.
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Another ancient piece of music that is considered to be among the oldest in the world is the "Hurrian Hymn No. 6," which was discovered on a clay tablet in the ancient city of Nuzi (modern-day Iraq) and dates back to around 1500 BCE. This hymn is notable for its use of pentatonic scale, a musical form that is still used in many traditional cultures today.
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It's important to note that the survival of musical compositions from ancient times is rare, and many songs and melodies from the past have likely been lost over the centuries. As such, it is difficult to determine the exact age of the oldest song in the world with certainty.
Assyrian Music
Assyrian music has a rich and diverse history that can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia, the birthplace of civilization. The early forms of Assyrian music were based on religious and ritualistic themes and were performed using a variety of instruments, such as lutes, harps, and flutes.
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During the reign of the Assyrian Empire (9th to 7th centuries BCE), music continued to play an important role in religious and courtly ceremonies, and new musical forms, such as hymns and psalms, emerged. In the following centuries, as the Assyrian Empire declined and the population was dispersed throughout the region, the musical traditions of the Assyrians were influenced by neighboring cultures, such as Persian and Arabic.
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In the 19th and early 20th centuries, a revival of Assyrian music took place in response to the revival of national identity among the Assyrian people. A new style of music emerged, known as the "classical" or "traditional" style, which was characterized by its use of complex musical forms and sophisticated instrumental arrangements.
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Today, Assyrian music continues to be an important part of the cultural heritage of the Assyrian people and is performed at community gatherings, religious events, and concerts around the world. While the traditional styles of Assyrian music are still maintained, many modern Assyrian musicians have also incorporated elements of Western music into their work, creating a unique fusion of traditional and contemporary styles.
ORIGINS
The origins of Assyrian music can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, such as the Akkadian and Babylonian cultures, which dominated the region thousands of years ago. Over time, the music has been shaped by a range of cultural and historical influences, including Persian and Arab musical traditions, and has evolved to include a diverse range of musical styles and instruments.
One of the most prominent musical styles in the Assyrian musical tradition is the maqam. The maqam is a type of musical mode that is characterized by its intricate melodic structure and its use of microtonal intervals. This style is often performed on solo instruments, such as the oud, the duduk, or the qanun, and is characterized by its improvisatory nature, with performers often using the maqam as a framework for musical expression.
Another important musical style in the Assyrian musical tradition is the zorna. The zorna is a type of oboe that is typically played in ensemble with other instruments, such as the dumbeg (a type of drum) and the kanon (a type of harp). This style is characterized by its use of complex rhythmic patterns and its upbeat, danceable character.
While written music notation for Assyrian music is not widely used, the music is typically passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition and imitation. This means that many of the most important composers and performers in the Assyrian musical tradition are known primarily through their recordings and live performances.
Some of the most prominent composers and performers in the Assyrian musical tradition include William Daniel, Alexander Michailian, Simon Afram, Janan Sawa, Sargon Gabriel and the brothers Ishtar and Ochan. These musicians have helped to preserve and promote the Assyrian musical tradition, and have been instrumental in popularizing the music both within the Assyrian community and beyond.
MAQAM Definition
Maqam music is a style of music that is a cornerstone of the Assyrian musical tradition. Maqam is an Arabic word that means "mode" or "scale," and it refers to a particular type of melodic structure that is used in various musical traditions throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In the context of Assyrian music, the maqam is characterized by its intricate melodic structure and its use of microtonal intervals, or small variations in pitch that are not found in Western classical music. The maqam is often used as a framework for improvisation, with performers using the basic structure of the maqam to create new and innovative musical phrases. Maqam music is typically performed on solo instruments, such as the oud, the duduk, or the qanun, and it is often played in a contemplative or meditative context. The music is characterized by its expressive, melancholic quality, and its use of slow, measured tempos that create a sense of stillness and introspection. Here is an example of a simple maqam in notation: css Copy code C D E F G A B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 This is a seven-note scale that represents the basic structure of the maqam. Performers often use this structure as a starting point for improvisation, adding in microtonal variations and ornamentation to create new and unique phrases. In conclusion, maqam music is a central part of the Assyrian musical tradition, and is characterized by its intricate melodic structure, its use of microtonal intervals, and its improvisatory nature. The music is typically performed on solo instruments and is known for its contemplative and expressive character.
Verse 1:
C D E F G A B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Chorus:
D E F G A B C
2 3 4 5 6 7 1
Verse 2:
C D E F G A B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Chorus:
D E F G A B C
2 3 4 5 6 7 1
MODE
C D E F G A B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Go To Page 91 for History of Assyrian Music
through the works of the Late Legend William Daniel, teacher of Alexander Shoora Michailian.
Pakbaz, Rashel, "Reviving Mesopotamia: Genocide and the Preservation of Cultural Heritage in the Nationalist Music of William Daniel (1903-1988)" (2015). Master's Theses. 4553. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.rvwp-7s5g https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/4553
