On 5/8 we explored the music and culture of Aleppo, Syria. We sang two quduud (upbeat songs): “Sayyid il-Asaari” and “Qaddukal Mayyas” and listened to performances by Mustafa Maher and Sabah Fakhri, the most famous 20th century singer of the Aleppan tradition. We discussed the Wasla – a suite of songs in the same maqam (musical mode) – and explored how the “standard” form of the Wasla is varied in actual performance, by viewing two performances by the excellent (but less well know) singer Mustafa Dahleh:
In the first, he transitions from Qaddukal Mayyas into the famous mawwal “qull lil maliha”https://youtu.be/05WARVxwHHI
In the second, we saw a transition from instrumental taqasim (improvisations) into the mawwal, and from non-rhythmic vocal improvisation into a rhythmic improvisation: https://youtu.be/_da1Lu7vG5w.
We also explored how music in the same maqam can transition to other parts of the scale. Finally, we discussed some of the history of the muwashshah tradition, which originated in Arab Andalusia. All of the songs discussed can be downloaded from this folder https://app.box.com/s/
Class instructor Sami Abu Shumays will be performing with his ensemble Zikrayat on this coming Thursday, May 12,8-11pm. There’s no cover for this performance, and all students are encouraged to come! Details below:
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Zikrayat Dance Party at Meridian 23 | 161 west 23rd Street (6th/7th Ave)
8pm-11pm | No Cover (donation suggested)
Featuring Natalie Nazario
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Dance to a mix of Egyptian Shaabi, pop, and classics performed by the incomparable Zikrayat (www.zikrayatmusic.com). The evening will also feature a belly-dance performance by Natalie Nazario!
