Music and Time Annotation << Back Radif – the Key Concept of Iranian Classical Music A. Kozyatnik The paper characterizes the most important concept of modern classical music of Iran – Radif. The author considers the typological features of Iranian classical music, explains the primary concepts and terms, designates the role of Radif as the base model in the process of performance. Herewith, there are basic values of Radif: 1) repertoire of melodic patterns of Iranian art of music, 2) the order of the melodic patterns in cyclic form of dastgah or avaz. It also reveals the value of this phenomenon in performing and pedagogical practice, because Radif also provides a mechanism for the preservation and transfer of centuries-old musical heritage. A thorough knowledge of Radif, implying memory storage surround sound material along with its associative array (philosophical, aesthetic, common cultural), is consummate professionalism. In their conclusions, the author relies not only on the book editions (domestic and foreign, including, in Persian) and notes publications, but also on the own information derived from the analysis of diverse audio material and communication with the tradition`s representatives. Key words: Radif, Iranian classical music, dastgah, avaz, gusheh, bedahenavazi, morakkabnavazi Contacts: E-mail: akozyatnik@yahoo.com Pp. 31-36.