Musical and socio-cultural anecdotes from Kitab al-aghani al-kabir / annotated translations and commentaries by George Dimitri Sawa.

• TeilnehmendeR: Sawa, George, 1947-
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden : : Brill,, 2018.
• Year of Publication: 2018
• Language: English
• Series: Islamic History and Civilization 159.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (481 pages).

The present volume consists of translated anecdotes, on musicological and socio-cultural topics, from al-Iṣbahānī’s Kitāb al-Aghānī al-Kabīr ( The Grand Book of Songs ) with annotations and commentaries. It deals with musical rhythmic and melodic modes, technical terms and treatises; music instruments; composition techniques and processes; education and oral/written transmissions; vocal and instrumental performances and their aesthetics; solo and ensemble music; change and its inevitability; musical and textual improvisations; ṭarab and the acute emotions of joy or grief; medieval dances; social status. Though extracts from The Grand Book of Songs have been translated in European languages since 1816, this work presents a much larger and more comprehensive scope that will benefit musicologists, medievalist and Middle Eastern scholars as well as the general reader.

Table of Contents

Front Matter -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Abbreviations -- Editorial Notes -- Abū l-Faraj al-Iṣfahānī and His Book of Songs -- Theory -- Instruments -- Composition -- Education and Transmission -- Performance -- Solos, Accompaniment, and Ensemble Music -- Musical Stability and Change -- Musical and Textual Improvisations -- Ṭarab and the Effects of Singing on People and Animals -- Dance -- Physiognomy, Attire, Character, Social Status, and the Permissibility of Music -- Back Matter -- Arabic English Glossary -- Charts -- Bibliography.