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5.0 out of 5 stars
Music of Islamic Spain in Middle Eastern Style, September 13, 2008
This review is from: La Musica De Al-Andalus: La Muwassaha (Audio CD)
[Congratulations for finding this particular web page among the similar on Amazon.] This recording was a complete surprise, for its performance style was so different from my other CDs on classical music of al-Andalus, mainly from Morocco. While the musical source material of Islamic Spain is the same and performances are suites of maqam modes with set melodies and improvisation, the muwashasha poetry here, of which there are hundreds of compositions, are classical Arabic of the Middle East, chiefly Syria and Egypt, and of 18th century to modern times. Moreover, the Eastern style obeys strict rules of Arabian meter. Therefore, the first impression is the crisp, staccato notes and well-regulated rhythm, lacking the lilt and fluidity as well as the varied tempo found in the Western or Maghreb style. Instrumentation is also slightly different, with the Moroccan rebab missing, but the ensemble includes a chorus. The length of the recording is 75 minutes, providing fully developed selections and improvisations. In short, this album, which includes extensive notes on the music, demonstrates how music of Islamic Spain spread into the Eastern Arab lands and adapted to their musical ethos.
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