CD Number [301]
Published [07/12/2010]
Recording & accompanying
Mohsen Sharifian
( 2 CDs)
Sharve singing
Sharve is a free meter song, which is mostly performed in mode of Shur and in different versions (garde). Sharve has its own specific and special melody which, according to its style, is performed in various areas differently. Although the structure of most of them is the same considering their musical intervals, the difference is mostly in performing the periods considering the ornamentations, melismas, accents, rests, duration of notes, the starting and ending figures, climaxes, and cadences.
In singing sharve, usually one verse is assigned to each period. The periods are separated with the aid of long rests. In these songs the melody, which has a specific curve, usually sets the highest pitch a fifth or seldom exceptionally an octave above the tonic.
Sharve singing is started with an overture, whose verses are from Rumi. This overture which is called masnavi khani (Masnavi singing) is performed in Shushtari gushe from mode of Homayun. It is possible to use Nezami's verses instead of Rumi's though. If so, it is called nezami khani (Nezami singing). After this overture the singer performs his own style of sharve khani (sharve singing).
"Singing Masnavi or Nezami's verses as an overture is for preparation of the singer and the audience. Singing Nezami's or Masnavi verses is possible before any style, but many singers avoid this just because they are not able or they are not willing to do it. It is worth mentioning that the connection of the content of Masnavi or Nezami's verses to the melody of sharve requires high skill. In fact, in the last verses, the required atmosphere for sharve singing is prepared gradually. The main musical notes of sharve, and its melodic moods, which are the result of the melodic movement of the song, are pointed and, increasingly, the atmosphere of the sharve is stablished in a peculiar moment."
At the end of each quatrain in sharve, to complete the periods, create sectional stops or perform perfect cadences, additional verses or words like a del, ay dust, ruzegar, ay ruzegar, azize del, si to migom, ect. are added. Sometimes instead of additional words, some of the words of verses, especially in cadences, are repeated twice or several times which are called vakhun (drone).
Sharve singing may be performed by two or several singers, a style which is called do man doyi or donbale khani. In this kind of performance, usually one of the versions of sharve is chosen and is carried around. In such gatherings sharve singing may last for hours. Although sharve singing is not allocated to a certain place or time or situation, it is not popular to sing it in a wedding ceremony.
A kind of sharve singing, which is performed with mourning verses, is called marsiye khani. Some sharve singers consider it quite different from sharve singing, because, although sharve is performed with a gloomy and mournful melody the verses are amorous and they speak of union and disunion, while marsiye khani is related to death and elegy.
