Music of Syria
The music of Syria may refer to musical traditions and practices in modern-day Syria (as opposed to Greater Syria), merging the habits of people who settled in Syria throughout its history. Syria was long one of the Arab world's centers for musical innovation in the field of classical Arab music; for example, the city of Aleppo is known for its muwashshah music, which was specially conceived to accompany Andalusian muwashshah poetry.
Folk music
The Bedouin style of music which is based on Mizmar and Rebab is present in Nomadic regions. The modern style of songs, whether by local, Arab or international artists, is widespread, especially among young people, including Farid al-Atrash, Fahd Ballan, Sabah Fakhri, Mayada El Hennawy and George Wassouf.[1] The popular dance is mainly Dabkeh, and the details of its movements vary between regions; other folklore dances are performances with Swords which is called "Arāḍa" (Arabic: عراضة), as well as oriental dance for women.
Syriac music
Syria is one of the earliest centers of Christian hymnody, in a repertory known as Syrian chant, which continues to be the liturgical music of some of the various Syrian Christians.
There was formerly a distinctive tradition of Syrian Jewish religious music, which still flourishes in Syrian-Jewish communities around the world, such as New York City, Mexico City and Buenos Aires: see The Weekly Maqam, Baqashot and Pizmonim.
Samples
- Download recording "Ughniyah li al-Atfal" Syrian lullaby from the Library of Congress' Florida Folklife from the WPA Collections; performed by Nicholas Debs on March 10, 1940 in Jacksonville, Florida
- Sephardic Pizmonim Project by Syrian Jewish community.
References
- ^ "Music of Syria". Traditional Arabic music. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- Badley, Bill and Zein al Jundi. "Europe Meets Asia". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 391–395. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0
External links
- BBC Radio 3 Audio (60 minutes): Damascus. Accessed November 25, 2010.
- BBC Radio 3 Audio (60 minutes): Islamic sufi in Aleppo. Accessed November 25, 2010.
