Isfahan

Isfahan is one of the oldest makams of Turkish music and one of the twelve devirs. Today it comes to rest on dügâh, and its dominant is nevâ; its most important suspended cadence is on segâh, and this stop gives it a lyrical, Sufi color. Many composers, from Itrî to Zekâi Dede, have written works in this makam.

In the lists of effects, Isfahan's place is among those that change the most. In the account attributed to Safiyyüddin it is "the mode of generosity"; Şirvânî writes that it gives a measured ease and a pleasant delight, that it suits the nature of city people, and that it should be sung often in the gatherings of lovers. In the list attributed to Fârâbî, however, it is associated with torment. Şuûrî says it awakens intelligence and insight, that it suits those of wheat-colored complexion, and he assigns to it the gatherings of emirs and the great. For its time, Şirvânî gives sunset; Şuûrî relates that some masters considered it suitable from afternoon until night.

Sources: Scale and history: Özkan, "Isfahan", TDV İA, XIX, 134-135 (1999). Generosity, ease, gatherings of lovers, sunset: Akdoğan, AÜİFD XLVIII/1, 79-81. Torment: Kalender, AÜİFD XXIX, 362. Intelligence, wheat-colored complexion, gatherings, time: Şuûrî, Turabi edition, 162, 165-166.