 |
Abdulgadir MaragaA Persian musician and music theorist, originally from Persian Azerbaijan. Maraghi, along with Safiaddin Urmavi, made a huge contribution to the theoretical study of the musical culture of Azerbaijan (a historical region of northern Iran). He was a court musician
Country:
 Turkey |
Content:
- Birth and Early Life
- Court Musician
- Under Timur's Patronage
- Theoretical Works
- Connection to Ancient Turkic Music
- Legacy
- Descendants
Birth and Early Life
Abdulqadir Maraghi was born in 1353 in Maragha, Persian Azerbaijan. His father, Mowlana Geybi, noticed his son's musical aptitude and educated him. By the age of four, Maraghi could recite the Quran by heart, and by eight, he had mastered grammar. He was also skilled in calligraphy and poetry.
Court Musician
During the reign of the Jelairids, Maraghi became a court musician for Sultan Uways Jelair. He married the daughter of Hajji Rizwanshah ibn Zaki at-Tabrizi for his composition of the muqam cycle.
Under Timur's Patronage
In 1393, during Timur's campaigns, Maraghi was taken to Samarkand. There, he became renowned as a musician and was known as the "Emperor of Musicians" by Timur. However, he later fled to Baghdad due to the violent reign of Timur's son, Miranshah.
Theoretical Works
In the early 15th century, Maraghi wrote his magnum opus, "Jame al-Alhan" (The Collection of Melodies). This treatise expounded on the theory of music, describing 24 melodic scales and the specific techniques used on plectrum instruments. He also highlighted the unique musical styles of different cultures, including the Azerbaijani ashugh tradition.
Connection to Ancient Turkic Music
Maraghi's research uncovered the connection between the ashugh saz and its ancient predecessor, the gopuz, mentioned in the epic "Kitabi Dede Korkut." He identified nine main scales used by Turkic singers and described instruments such as the kamancha, ghichak, tanbur, and rubab.
Legacy
Maraghi's theoretical works had a profound impact on Western musicology. Henry G. Farmer called him "the last classic of medieval music theory." Manuscripts of his treatises are preserved in libraries worldwide.
Descendants
Maraghi's musical legacy was continued by his son, Abdul Aziz ibn Abdulqadir Al Maraghi, who served as a court musician in the Ottoman Empire. Abdul Aziz's son, Mahmud Maraghi, also served the Ottoman court, carrying on the musical tradition of his illustrious grandfather.
