Traditional Lebanese Music vs. Pyotr Tchaikovsky By: Katelyn Gutierrez Period 6

The Origins and Functions of Arabic Music Started in Baghdad and branched in its infant stage: slave entertainment and communication is main purpose. The group of slave singers were referred to as “quynat.” later performed to entertain Arabic royalty, who patronized the musicians in later generations.

Pictures of Society

Elements of Arabic Music: Differences Western music known for static meter and polyphony Arabic music does not utilize polyphony Western music follows the seven Church Modes Arabic music’s one mode of maqâm (comprised of quarter and half tones) Arabic music is performed primarily by up to six instruments Western music performed by larger groups

Similarities common theme is love Performed in groups: the “takht” for Arabic music and various types of musical performing groups (i.e. orchestras, bands, etc.)

The Oud Similar to the lute in the family of chordophones Allegedly created by the grandson of the first man, Adam, named Lamak assumed its final form in Spain by Ziryab During Moorish Period ( )

The Qanoun Also referred to as the Zither descendent of the Egyptian harp Meaning “law” in Arabic; sets the law for what pitch the singer and other instruments must play in consists of eighty one strings plucked either by finger or through plectrums on the forefingers strings are divided in 3- string groups consisting of 24 treble chords and thus 3 chords to every note Levers are used to switch between maqâms.

The Nay meaning “reed” in Farsi made from cane comes in different lengths according to a specific pitch arrangement has six holes, played with the fingers and specific technique of bilabial airing much like a reed instrument the most difficult and challenging instrument to play in the takht timbre adds a mellow and warm color to the rest of the arrangement Set of seven Egyptian-style nays

The Riq resembles a small tambourine traditionally made with goat or fish skin, producing a warm sound sensitive to humidity maintains the tempo of the piece as well as the dynamics.

The Buzuq The buzuq is a fretted instrument of Turkish origins. It commonly consists of steel strings, in two courses: the double (C4) and triple (G3). The bright tone of the buzuq often add a lightened mood to Arabic music often set in a minor tone, and thus it is commonly a solo instrument for its unique sound and offset intonation when in comparison to other instruments in the maqâm. This instrument is not traditionally a part of the takht, but is a crucial component of Lebanese music.

The Darbouka resembles a goblet drum known as the “doumbek” in modern times produces a sharp and minute tone when struck like the riq, it is made with either goat or fish skin.

Takht Instruments

Time Frame 8 th – 9 th century A.D.: Origins 661 – 750 A.D.: The Umayyad Empire 711 – 1492 A.D.: The Moorish Period 750 – 909 A.D.: The Abbasid Empire 1517 – 1917 A.D.: The Ottoman Turks Influence

Importance in Society began to be patronized during the Ottoman rule (1517 – 1917) became a profession Musicians were referred to as:  “alatiyyah,” or male instrumentalists  the “‘awalim,” or literally “learned females”

Special Methods All methods performed according to the maqâm melodic development in which modulation is induced Different sized nays determine key and mood of the song

Acoustical properties unique use of one mode as opposed to the seven western church modes melodic progression or development No polyphony Performing groups comprised of 6+ instruments Traditional aspects have not changed in modern music

Structures The structure of chords represented by “jins” (plural form “ajnas”) referring to chords such as tetrachords, trichords and pentachords whose identities are determined by a specific maqâm The maqâm is the mode that all classical and traditional Arabic music abide by

Samples Traditional Arabic (Lebanese) music sample: Shatty Ya Dinyaa – Fairuz

Western Music Sample Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – “Marche Slave”

Tchaikovsky’s Background Born – May 7 th, 1840 in Kamasko- Votkinsk, Russia Died November 6 th, 1893, St. Petersburg, Russia Romantic Period ( ) Famous for the Nutcracker ballet, Swan Lake ballet, etc. Composed conciertos for the piano and violin

Arabic Influences on Tchaikovsky For the Nutcracker Ballet: Arabian Dance ◦One of the dances in the Land of Sweets: Arabian = The Coffee among the sweets ◦Marius Petipa, original choreographer, demanded Arabian dance in the ballet ◦One of Petipa’s most famous ballet titled, “The Pharaoh’s Daughter”  Romantic ballet in which an Englishman falls asleep smoking opium in a pyramid during a storm, and dreams of love with an Egyptian princess/heiress named Aspicia.

Arabic Influence Cont’d Arabian Dance written based on a Georgian lullaby ◦Georgia is bordered by Russia, Azerbaijan, south of Armenia and southwest of Turkey ◦Music from Georgia was inevitably influenced by Arabic traditional musical themes from Islam and the various Persian Empires (536 BCE-CE 638) ◦The use of the traditional lullaby is an indirect influence of Arabian music Petipa studied choreography in Spain in 1845, where dancing has been influenced by Arabic traditional music and dance

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