Customer Reviews

Sueno de al Zaqqaq

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First I stumbled on "Mudejar" by Begona Olavide (see my review), and then on "El Sueno de El Zaqqaq" by Luis Delgado. Now I've picked up this other Delgado CD, "Calamus, The Splendor of Al Andalus" -- ALL THREE of these are must-own CDs that have greatly enhanced our quality of life here in Manhattan. I did a little web searching on Delgado this morning ... and found his website,... where his other works dating back to the 70s are listed. I'll be searching for and buying them all, I assure you. This medieval Spanish/Arab music transports one to another world altogether. It's medieval, it's Spanish, and it's Arab all rolled into one -- that's what "Andalus" music is. Andalus music, while medieval in origin, is a living genre of popular music too. There's plenty of current Andalusian music out there: I stumbled on it recently in Fez (Morocco) where it manifests as a kind of popular festive music, often available only on cassette and serving mainly its local market -- places like the south side of the old city of Fez (Fes el-Bali) where the "Andalusians" live (having fled there when they were rousted out of Spain at the end of the 15th century). From Delgado, Olavide and their collaborators we are receiving beautifully produced classical 'Andalus' music straight from Spain. These are spectacular recordings on period instruments (Delgado has an enormous collection of old instruments), extremely evocative sounds that create better 'atmosphere' than any music I have ever heard. This is the best medieval music in the world, I'm convinced. These artists know that they are reaching a modern market of sensitive individuals who appreciate the best of stereophonic high fidelity and they deliver it to great effect. By the way, if you like Arab or Turkish popular music and have a desire to delve into the related realm of classical music, these are the CDs for you. This is classical music with rhythm you can dance to! The rhythm work, by the way, seems to be done by one Eduardo Paniagua, who also has his own CDs out. As a collaborator with Luis and Begona I suspect his work is probably also great -- I'm eager to buy his CDs and find out! Thank you Luis Delgado and Begona Olavide for introducing me to this music! Send me an e-mail if you are coming to New York, please! We'd love to take you out for a great meal and a night on the town -- just out of gratitude.

Luis Delgado's "El Sueno de Al-Zaqqaq" (translated, "The Dream of Al-Zaqqaq") is an excellent example of how the recent increase of interest in 'world music' has made previously-unheard material accessible to Western audiences. The CD is a collection of the works of 11th-century Valencian poet Ibn Al-Zaqqaq set to music. Delgado plays on traditional Arabic instruments such as the santur and tar, which gives the music an exotic touch while complimenting the singing of Aurora Moreno and Mohame El Arabi Serhini, the principal vocalists. The range of Moreno and El Arabi Serhini is stunning, and they are equally adept at conveying the passion as well as the serenity of Al-Zaqqaq's poetry. An additional bonus on the CD insert is the story of Al-Zaqqaq, as well as English translations of the poetry sung in Arabic on the album. This CD is easily in the class of Vox's "Divine Rites" and Dudley/Coleman's "Songs from the Victorious City", and fans of either CD will find much to like in Delgado's work. Followers of Arabic and world music can only hope that a re-release of this CD will be forthcoming in the future, for, as Stephen Hill once said, "If you dream half as well as Al-Zaqqaq, you are indeed blest."

I discovered this album by listening to the samples on Amazon.com. I purchased it immediately! It seems to be a blend of ancient instruments and timeless chants. These haunting melodies are based on arabic poetry and traditional middle-eastern instruments such as ude and santoor/dolcimer. Highly recommended.

A wonderful CD, rich of athmosphere. This music is perfectly executed by very talented performers you can listen this CD over and over again and any time ...''discover'' a new sound and a new emotion. A ''BIG BRAVO'' to Luis Delgado and all the other musicians playing in this CD so full of Poetry. Paola Marinangeli from Rome Italy

This exquisite CD centers around the Islamic music of the Realm of Valencia,whose capital,the city of VALENCIA(Balansiya in Arabic),was a center of culture and mixture of Muslims,Christians and Jews....VALENCIA today is a thriving Spanish/Mediterranean metropolis.

The music dates from the 1100's and has a very distinct feeling from anything else Arabic,since Iberian Arabic is a dead language and the exquisite culture of that Islamic Spain no longer exists.

The music is made with both traditional and modern instruments.I am not Muslim but one song is basically a praise to God....Everyone that has heard it has had a very positve reponse.Breathtaking instrumentals and I only wish I could understand it..like with all else,a nice bong hit is recommended ! Has translations........ERIC,NYC