Music and vocals by Farya Faraji. The Psalm 135 section is from the traditional repertoire of Orthodox Byzantine Chant and was not written by me. This is a long form piece about the Battle of Nineveh, fought on December 12, 627 A.D, between the Eastern Roman Empire, and the dying Sasanian empire. It was effectively the last great confrontation of the Roman-Iranian wars (I don’t use the term Roman-Persian wars because it’s usage is indefensible; 2 centuries of these conflicts were fought against the Parthians, who are called so because they were Parthians, not Persians. Iranian more accurately describes both groups, as both the Parthian Arsacids and the Persian Sasanids were Iranian).
The Battle of Nineveh was the culmination of the war of 602-628 between the empire of Heraclius and the empire of Khosrow II. Heraclius helmed the army himself whilst general Rhahzadh of Armenia led the Iranian forces. Both empires met in Sasanian Mesopotamia, and fought a bloody battle at Nineveh. It is said that in the midst of the battle, Rhahzadh challenged Heraclius to single duel, and the Armenian was defeated in one strike by the Roman Emperor. While this may be an exaggeration, its dramatic value is certainly entertaining, so I built part of the symphony around this.
The war of 602-628 would be a turning point in the history of the region, and indeed the world. Having depleted their resources and manpower after the war, both empires were left vulnerable as a new power arose in the ignored, mysterious stretches of the Arabian peninsula, a new threat to both powers united by the fervour of a new religion. Less than five years later, the Arab Muslims would begin the invasion of the Sasanian Empire which would spell its doom, and would become a new enemy that would weaken the Romans. This very religion would one day bring down their empire, centuries later.
Musically, this track reflects modern Greek music and Byzantine chant as well as Iranian music for the respective Roman and Sasanian Empires, as well as Armenian music, with the duduk being used to represent Rhahzadh. The Roman instrumentation is pretty close to what was used by the Greeks in the 1000’s to 1450’s, with the Oud, Qanun and Byzantine Lyra playing a central part although the usage of the Tambouras saz is anachronistic and more modern. The Iranian side uses the Oud also, as well as the Tar, Santour, Afghan Rabab and a modern orchestral string section played in a typical Middle-Eastern style.
The leitmotifs used in this symphony are:
• The “Rome” leitmotif, heard in my “Fall of Constantinople” and “Gaivs Ivlivs Caesar” symphonies.
• “The Sasanians” leitmotif, which I used in my “The Sasanians” and “Blood of Sasan” pieces.
• The “Humata” leitmotif, heard in “Humata” and “The Ballad of King Vahram.” The lyrics of this one are in the Avestan language.
• The Psalm 135, not my composition but a traditional piece from the Greek Orthodox chant repertory.
• The Asbārān leitmotif.
• A new leitmotif for Heraclius.
• A new leitmotif for Rhahzadh.
The Sasanian leitmotif uses an actual period Sasanian poem in Middle-Persian written by Pahlbod or Barbad, the official court musician of the Sasanian Empire, which shows an interesting form of national pride, comparing Khosrow II to clouds that overshadow both Caesar and the Khaghan of the Göktürks.
00:00 Overture – The End of an Era
01:00 The Empire of the Romans – Heraclius
04:00 The Empire of the Iranians – Rhahzadh the Armenian
07:15 The Prayers
13:19 The Battle Begins
17:16 The Asbaran Deployed
22:04 Rhahzadh Challenges Heraclius – Heraclius and Rhahzadh Prepare to Duel
24:14 The Great Duel
24:19 Heraclius’ Victory
25:35 A New Power
#epicbyzantinemusic
#epiciranianmusic
source
Music and vocals by Farya Faraji. The Psalm 135 section is from the traditional repertoire of Orthodox Byzantine Chant and was not written by me. This is a long form piece about the Battle of Nineveh, fought on December 12, 627 A.D, between the Eastern Roman Empire, and the dying Sasanian empire. It was effectively the last great confrontation of the Roman-Iranian wars (I don't use the term Roman-Persian wars because it’s usage is indefensible; 2 centuries of these conflicts were fought against the Parthians, who are called so because they were Parthians, not Persians. Iranian more accurately describes both groups, as both the Parthian Arsacids and the Persian Sasanids were Iranian).
The Battle of Nineveh was the culmination of the war of 602-628 between the empire of Heraclius and the empire of Khosrow II. Heraclius helmed the army himself whilst general Rhahzadh of Armenia led the Iranian forces. Both empires met in Sasanian Mesopotamia, and fought a bloody battle at Nineveh. It is said that in the midst of the battle, Rhahzadh challenged Heraclius to single duel, and the Armenian was defeated in one strike by the Roman Emperor. While this may be an exaggeration, its dramatic value is certainly entertaining, so I built part of the symphony around this.
The war of 602-628 would be a turning point in the history of the region, and indeed the world. Having depleted their resources and manpower after the war, both empires were left vulnerable as a new power arose in the ignored, mysterious stretches of the Arabian peninsula, a new threat to both powers united by the fervour of a new religion. Less than five years later, the Arab Muslims would begin the invasion of the Sasanian Empire which would spell its doom, and would become a new enemy that would weaken the Romans. This very religion would one day bring down their empire, centuries later.
Musically, this track reflects modern Greek music and Byzantine chant as well as Iranian music for the respective Roman and Sasanian Empires, as well as Armenian music, with the duduk being used to represent Rhahzadh. The Roman instrumentation is pretty close to what was used by the Greeks in the 1000’s to 1450’s, with the Oud, Qanun and Byzantine Lyra playing a central part although the usage of the Tambouras saz is anachronistic and more modern. The Iranian side uses the Oud also, as well as the Tar, Santour, Afghan Rabab and a modern orchestral string section played in a typical Middle-Eastern style.
The leitmotifs used in this symphony are:
• The “Rome” leitmotif, heard in my “Fall of Constantinople” and “Gaivs Ivlivs Caesar” symphonies.
• “The Sasanians” leitmotif, which I used in my “The Sasanians” and “Blood of Sasan” pieces.
• The “Humata” leitmotif, heard in “Humata” and “The Ballad of King Vahram.” The lyrics of this one are in the Avestan language.
• The Psalm 135, not my composition but a traditional piece from the Greek Orthodox chant repertory.
• The Asbārān leitmotif.
• A new leitmotif for Heraclius.
• A new leitmotif for Rhahzadh.
The Sasanian leitmotif uses an actual period Sasanian poem in Middle-Persian written by Pahlbod or Barbad, the official court musician of the Sasanian Empire, which shows an interesting form of national pride, comparing Khosrow II to clouds that overshadow both Caesar and the Khaghan of the Göktürks.
00:00 Overture – The End of an Era
01:00 The Empire of the Romans – Heraclius
04:00 The Empire of the Iranians – Rhahzadh the Armenian
07:15 The Prayers
13:19 The Battle Begins
17:16 The Asbaran Deployed
22:04 Rhahzadh Challenges Heraclius – Heraclius and Rhahzadh Prepare to Duel
24:14 The Great Duel
24:19 Heraclius' Victory
25:35 A New Power
#epicbyzantinemusic
#epiciranianmusic
❤
So surreal hearing such utterly beautiful music and pious chanting and at the same time imagine Romans and Sassanids slaughtering each other.
Damn, the melancholy Asbārān melody at the end and the final chanting of the Ahura Mazda mantra is quite a way ti symbolize the end of a dynasty/empire.
You are my new favorite musician! Your music is amazing and has the ability to take me to another time. Thank you!
Love this music. Historically, the war between Eastern Rome and the Sasanian Empire was the last great war of Late Antiquity.
They should hire you to write the music for the next Medieval Total War.
This is probably my favorite one of your symphonies so far, and that’s saying something. Excellent work Farya!
When will you do an ancient Greek piece? You could ask Luke Ranieri for help if you need, I'm sure hw would be glad to help you, or even sing with you HAHAHAH…would be interesting to hear both of you in a piece either in Class. Roman or in Ancient Greek
You almost cheer my ears with every music you make, if mythologies were real, the gods would make you a god of music.
A symphony about the Gokturk and Sassanid wars would be perfect.
The last great battle between the Greco-Romans and the Persians,enemies for a thousand years,each of them great in their own right.
I love this nerdy approach to history as an inspiration for work. Kavafy did the same in poetry. It might it not be fashionable but it's rewarding. Kudos! Of course, I've already listened to most of the motifs (motives?) here but they're fit the great theme of the last Roman-Persian war.
Ohh myy thank you sooo much for this epic masterpiece as my 20th birthday present, Farya!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻😇😇 🌿🌿🦅🦅
This is the difference between Iranians and whoever was our adversary. We respect our enemies, and even produce works of art that honour them in all fairness. I wouldn't expect a Greek, or Arab, or Mongol to honour the Iranians by making songs of Iranian victories or triumphs.
Farya is an example to be followed.
چه ترکیب خفنی خداییی حال کردم روحم جلا خورد❤❤❤❤❤
Could you make a music about King Davi and his monarch in the Ancient Testament ?
We want more Turkic songs dear Farya Faraji.
Keep up the good work!
excellent piece, as always of quality and transports you to another era, you should make an Assyrian style piece perhaps
At 16:08 you can hear Farya's beautiful voice pierce through the roof which is something I don't hear from his Byzantine or Roman songs or in other Iranian songs but then I realized it probably symbolized the desperation of the Sassanids in the battle as it is a fight to the death, correct me if I'm wrong Farya but this is what I interpreted it to be
Farya, Will they be added seperatly to spotify? Id really appreciate if you can do that The prayers part is my favourite
Well…found the video I'll be playing on repeat for the rest of the month.
Another Epic
One request for can you create Epic Vedic Sanskrit music based on theme "The Battle of The ten Kings" 🤔
Parsi has been metaphorical since sasanian empire 🥲💚🤍♥️🦁🌞
نبردی که با شورش مزدکی ها و نسطوری های داخل میان رودان و خیانت فرخ زاد ها منجر به شکست جنگ برده خسرو اپرویز شد و آغاز هزار چهارصد سال بدبختی و سیاهی برای کشورمون.
Delightful, as always
Your music is really motivating to do sports 💪🥰 I'm glad I found your channel and a subscription and the bell is active🤭 Thank you ❤
Is it my idea or did he make a reference to the fall of Constantinople when the Greeks sining at 14:53?
You should do a song about Sumer
Pure art👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️
Vengeance for Carrhae. The Empire shall be preserved. Ctesiphon shall fall. Kyrie Eleison.
Dear Farya, you have struck me with your encyclopedic knowledge of music and a true talant in composing and performing one. Your style of expressing thoughts brings me joy as well, only a single description of this piece shows your high proficiency and education. Know this – you deserve far more than just 62k subscribers! Warm regards and love from Ukraine!
Bien que vous êtes Québécois, je voudrais d'exprimer mon reconnaissance en un de vos langues parlées comme maternelle (comme j'ai compris), mais malheureusement mon Français est moins fluide que l'anglais… En tous cas, merci beaucoup de votre travail!!!
I believe you put psalm 135 according to the septaugint. For people who are not familiar with the original Greek translation used by Orthodox and are only familiar with the Masoretic, this will be psalm 136 in your bible. I didn't expect to recognize the psalm used here because I live in the US and have not heard every psalm performed according to byzantine chant, but that's actually a fairly common communion hymn.
You never fail to make a nice piece that really makes it easy to imagine what the battle is like. 10/10 will listen to this while practicing archery.
AAaaAAAAAAaaaaaHHH! This is sooooooo GOOD. Why doesn't this channel have millions of subscribers??? Fellas, post this on social media and let people know. This sassanid opening with poem lyrics at 4:00 made my jaw drop
Edit: post while crediting the author and linking directly here ofc!
IRANIANS music🧐🧐💚🤍❤
Farya… you should be fined for creating such excellent music, it's too perfect for us humans to bear witness to! 😀
I notice you recently, after your video about medieval music, started paying more and more attention to less strict musical notes and more of the typically free and creative singing in the middle ages. sounds very alien, exotic and yet familiar too, very exciting! Hopefully people will reshape their view on medieval music more towards a truthful depiction of it
🙂
The prayers chapter is really great. Had read the Zoroastrian prayers before and knew it but had never heard it and the repetition and two separate verses made it really complete. A lot of really great parts in this song. One of the most unique bits for me is at 17:40. When that instrument kicks in after the dambora, its fantastic
Клятий Фока Слов'янин!
Як же тут круто і плавно поєднані зороастризм і східне християнство, просто слів немає. Тільки зараз помітив.
Գեղեցիկ նուագեն զատ, իրաւ ամօթ է որ ինչ գան Հայեր մահացած են եւ իրար մեռցուցած են օտարականի ապուշ պատերազմերու պաճարով:
based as usual. never commented on this (or frequently do for that matter but still) but i do like your use of leitmotiffs and how a lot of them do tend to sometimes sound similar to one another as well as all the callbacks with recycled motiffs. feels like it gives each of these cultures/powers it's distinct identity or theme but still binds them to a shared region and history in which they clearly interact and affect one another
now, having said that
🔫 what's your lyra and duduk plugins
🔫 make a thermopylae one eventually, dance of the spartans/legends of sparta mixed with the achaemenids would be a gift for the ears
Heraclius vs Khosrow II! Battle of the titans!
Shat lav@
I understand your logic for not using the term Persian to refer to Parthians, but in that case, why use the term "Roman" for this "empire" of greeks?? I don't get the modern repulsion to the term Byzantine.
i grew up coptic orthodox, and let me just say i did NOT expect to go on such a nostalgia trip when i got to the roman empire’s section lmao it was like liturgy all over again