Tasnif

Tasnif(Persian:تصنيف) is one of the several forms ofPersian musicand can be considered as the Persian equivalent of theballad.

It is a composed song in a slowmetre.As is true of other forms ofmusical composition,mosttasnifsare of relatively recent origin and by known composers.

A large number oftasnifswere composed during the first two decades of the twentieth century. Many of them are based on patriotic themes reflecting the spirit of the constitutional movement of that period.

Tasnifscomposed during the twenties and the thirties are more concerned with amorous topics and the poetry used is generally from the works of classical poets.

In the post-World War IIperiod, the poetic context has gradually become light and the music of thetasnifhas been affected by western popular songs.

This more 'modern' type oftasnifis generally calledtarāne.

See also

• Aref Qazvini
• Morteza Neydavoud
• Morq-e sahar

Further reading

• Hormoz Farhat,The Dastgāh Concept in Persian Music(Cambridge University Press, 1990).ISBN0-521-30542-X,ISBN0-521-54206-5(first paperback edition, 2004).