Zərbi muğamlar

This book introduces readers to rhythmic mugham (zərbi – muğamlar)—one of the principal genres of Azerbaijan’s orally transmitted professional musical tradition. It defines the place, origin, formation, development, and artistic value of rhythmic mughams within the musical heritage of the Azerbaijani people. Drawing on nine rhythmic mughams transcribed from the performances of renowned khanandas (vocalists) and sazandas (instrumentalists), the book explores the distinctive features of their musical language and poetic content, as well as the manifestation of these mughams in the works of Azerbaijani composers. The publication is intended for musicologists, composers, professional performers, teachers and students of higher and secondary music institutions, and a broad readership interested in Azerbaijan’s traditional music.