Sturgeon Playlist | Farhad Farzali

Sturgeon Playlist is a show dedicated to the music of the Caspian region – Azerbaijan, Dagestan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.

This edition of the show is dedicated to the exhilaratingly fast rhythms of Lezginka and other music from the North Caucasus. Recently, there has been a significant development in Chechnya regarding traditional music. The Chechen authorities have introduced a new regulation that restricts the tempo of music played within the region to a range between 80 to 116 beats per minute (BPM). This move, endorsed by the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, aims to align musical performances with the cultural and rhythmic values of the region.

The regulation has sparked discussions, as it excludes many genres and traditional forms that fall outside this tempo range. Despite the controversy, the energetic and passionate spirit of Lezginka and other regional music remains strong, showcasing the rich and lively cultural heritage of the North Caucasus.