When you listen to a taqsim—the art of unmetered melodic improvisation—you are not just hearing a performance. You are peering into the collective consciousness of a musical tradition that stretches back to prehistory. Every note, every turn of phrase, is a reflection of a lineage of masters, passing their melodic vocabulary from master to apprentice for thousands of years.
In The Art of Taqasim in Persian and Arabic Music Vol. 1, Navid Goldrick channels this living heritage into an album that bridges two worlds: the deep, poetic resonance of Persian dastgahs and the rich, ornate expression of Arabic maqams. The result is a 7-track journey through modes, colors, and emotions that transcend borders.
What is Taqsim and Why It Matters
Taqsim (Arabic: تقسيم) or bedāheh-navāzi (Persian: بداههنوازی) is more than improvisation—it is musical storytelling without a script. A master of taqsim draws from centuries of melodic motifs and modal grammar, weaving them into something completely new in the moment.
It is the ultimate act of tradition meeting creativity: the artist honors the past while expressing their own voice in the present. Listening to a taqsim is like witnessing a conversation between the musician and every teacher, performer, and ancestor who has ever shaped the tradition.
The Album: Tracklist and Modes
This first volume offers an intimate, unfiltered glimpse into the improviser’s world:
- Avaz-e Esfahan – Persian avaz in the wistful, lyrical Esfahan mode.
- Maqam Farahfaza / Ferafeza – A rare maqam with expansive, contemplative character.
- Maqam Hijaz / Hicaz – Evocative, yearning intervals central to Middle Eastern music.
- Maqam Rahat al-Arwah / Ruh-ul Arvah – Literally “comfort of the souls,” a deeply meditative maqam.
- Maqam Yakah / Yegâh – A grounded, regal mode with ancient roots.
- Dastgah-e Shur – One of Persian music’s most important modal families.
- Avaz-e Bayat-e Zand / Tork – A Persian mode full of warmth and earthy emotion.
Total Runtime: ~33 minutes
A Bridge Between Persian and Arabic Musical Worlds
What makes The Art of Taqasim unique is how Navid draws from two parallel yet intertwined traditions:
- From Persian music, he inherits the elegance of the radif system, the poetic subtlety of avaz, and the flowing logic of dastgah modulation.
- From Arabic music, he channels the maqam’s deep emotional palette, ornamentation techniques, and the meditative journey of improvisation.
The album becomes a cross-cultural dialogue, proving that Persian and Arabic traditions are not separate islands, but rivers that eventually intertwine and mingle from multiple sources.
Why You Should Listen
- For Lovers of Tradition: Hear ancient melodic languages kept alive through the intimacy of solo improvisation.
- For Musicians: Experience how modal systems can guide creativity without constraining it.
- For Curious Listeners: Step into a sound world where time slows, emotion deepens, and the moment takes center stage.
Taqsim is not background music—it is a living meditation. Press play, and you enter a musical space where every phrase is both ancient and brand new.