lgeria|Bahrain|Egypt|Iraq|Jordan|Kuwait|Lebanon|Morocco|Oman|Palestine|Qatar|Saudi Arabia|Syria|Tunisia|Yemen
Algeria
Chaabi Dialna
Guide to popular Algerian music (in French)
Music of Algeria: selected recordings
by Prof. Dwight Reynolds of the University of California, Santa Barbara (Middle East Studies Association Bulletin)
Musics of Algeria: selected recordings
by Dwight Reynolds
Music of Algeria
Wikipedia
Berber music
Wikipedia
Bahrain
Bahrain music types
Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities
Bahrain Music Institute
Classes and other activities
Music of Bahrain
Wikipedia
Egypt
Music has been an integral part of Egyptian culture since ancient times. The ancient Egyptians credited the god Thoth with the invention of music, which Osiris in turn used as part of his effort to civilise the world.
The earliest material and representational evidence of Egyptian musical instruments dates to the pre-dyanstic period, but the evidence is more securely attested in the Old Kingdom when harps, flutes and double clarinets were played. Percussion instruments, lyres and lutes were added to orchestras by the Middle Kingdom. Cymbals frequently accompanied music and dance, much as they still do in Egypt today.Read more attraditionalarabicmusic.com
Music of Egypt
Wikipedia
Egyptian music over seven millennia
A historical portrait, from ancient times to the present day (touregypt.net)
Ancient Egyptian music
(aldokkan.com)
Umm Kulthoum
The most famous Egyptian singer
Farid el-Atrache
Site devoted to the famous Egyptian musician
A battle for existence: How the combined forces of censorship and security shaped Egypt’s music scene in 2017
by Hessen Hossam. Mada Masr, 2 January 2018
Cairo practice
The early days of Arab music recording in Egypt, by Paul Vernon
The music of Mohamad el-QuSabji
by Saleh Baset
Iraq
Iraqi music has its historic roots in ancient traditions but has continued to evolve through various eras. From creation of the oldest guitar in the world and the invention of the lute, to adding a fifth string to the rhythms and the various Iraqi maqams, Iraqi music proves to be an important part of the country's culture.
Renowned Iraqi composers include Abbas Jamil, NazimNaeem,
Mohammed Noshi, Reza Ali, Kamal Al Sayid, Kawkab Hamza, Talib Ghali, Hameed Al Basri, Tariq Al Shibli, Mufeed Al Nasih, Jaffer Al Khafaf, Talib Al Qaraghouli and many others.
Popular Iraqi singers in the twentieth century include Nazem Al-Ghazali, Dakhil Hassan, Zohoor Hussein, Fuad Salem, Hussein Nema, Riaz Ahmed, Qahtan Al Attar, Maida Nuzhat, Anwar Abdul Wahab, SattarJabbar, Kazem Al Saher amongst others.Source:Iraqi Embassy, Washington.
Classical music of Iraq
By Bernard Moussali
Iraq's classical and gypsy music traditions
BBC documentary: Andy Kershaw in Iraq
Tuning Baghdad
A series of radio programmes featuring Iraqi-Jewish musicians
Music of Iraq
Wikipedia
Jordan
The folk music of Jordan can be distinguished from that of its neighbouring countries like Syria and Saudi Arabia by its strong Bedouin influence. Rural Zajal songs, with improvised poetry played with a Rabab and reed pipe ensemble accompanying is popular.Read more attraditionalarabicmusic.com
Traditional Bedouin Music at Wadi Rum, Jordan
YouTube video
Music of Jordan
Wikipedia
Kuwait
Hidden treasures: reflections on traditional music in Kuwait
Kuwait has maintained a thriving traditional music culture; in particularbahri, or sea music, andsawthave remained at the heart of the music scene. By Rolf Killius, Curator of Oral and Musical Cultures, British Library
Music and dance in Kuwait
Kuwait shares with the wider Gulf region the musical traditions of Bedouins, from the land, and fishermen, from the sea, including the famed pearl-fishers’ chants.
Sawt: the art song of Kuwait
Text of a lecture by Lisa Urkevich
Musical Journeys to Oman, Qatar and Kuwait
British Library blog
Music of Kuwait
Wikipedia
Lebanon
Music of Lebanon
traditionalarabicmusic.com
Fairouz
Her official website
Fairouz Online
A biographical website
Marcel Khalife
Website of the Lebanese composer, singer andoudplayer
Khalife's "Magic Carpet", a revolution in Arabic music
by Abdel'ilah Balqaziz (Aljadid magazine)
Lebanese Bands
A guide to the latest sounds in Lebanon
Music of Lebanon
Wikipedia
Morocco
There are many genres of Moroccan music. It includes Arab, Berber, classical, and popular elements. Musicians perform in concerts, in cafes, at private homes, ceremonies, marriages, funerals, and religious processions. Music is also used to accompany dancing and storytelling.Read more on al-bab'sMoroccan music page
Oman
Omani music does not fall within the realm of classic Arabian music due to its many strong influences from African and Indian cultures. Omani music has the most diverse roots, some going back to pre-Islamic times. Additionally, music and movement in Oman are inextricably linked, much more so than in other Arabic lands. Read more atoman-tours.com
Sea meets desert
Reflections on traditional music in Oman. By Rolf Killius, Curator of Oral and Musical Cultures, British Library
Traditional music and dance in Oman
Fanack Chronicle
Musical Journeys to Oman, Qatar and Kuwait
British Library blog
Muscat Royal Opera House and Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra
Their history and development (gulfartguide.com)
Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra
Facebook page of the orchestra established by Sultan Qaboos in 1987
Royal Opera House Muscat
Offical website
The Omani Dance of Death
Lament and the expression of sorrow. By Nasser Al-Taee
Music of Oman
Wikipedia
Palestine
Music of Palestine
Wikipedia
Issa Boulos
Website of thePalestinian composer andoudplayer
Qatar
Modernity meets tradition
Reflections of traditional music in Qatar. By Rolf Killius, Curator of Oral and Musical Cultures, British Library
The modern face of traditional music
Fanack Chronicle
Musical Journeys to Oman, Qatar and Kuwait
British Library blog
Music of Qatar
Wikipedia
International Centre for Music
SaudiArabia
Saudi folk music has been shaped by the nomadic Bedouins and the pilgrims who brought musical influences from around the world. The music varies from region to region – for example, in the Hijaz, the music of al-sihba combines poetry and songs of Arab Andalusia, while the folk music of Makkah and Madinah reflects these two cities’ influences from throughout the Islamic world.Source:Saudi Embassy, Washington
Saudi folk music: alive and well
By Kay Hardy Campbell, Saudi Aramco World
Music of Saudi Arabia
Wikipedia
Syria
Damascus has long been one of the Arab world's centres for cultural and artistic innovation, especially in the field of classical Arab music. Syria has also produced several pan-Arab stars, often in exile, including George Wassoof and Nour Mahanna. The city of Aleppo is known for itsmuwashshah, a form of Andalousian sung poetry popularized by Sabri Moudallal, as well as popular stars like Sabah Fakhri. Dabke and other forms of dance music are also popular.Read more attraditionalarabicmusic.com
Music of Syria
Wikipedia
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
Tunisia
Seven classic Tunisian songs
By Asma Smadhi, Tunisia Live, 18 October 2013
Tunisia: Literature and Music
(tunisientunisie.com)
The musical pulse of Tunisia
Article about themalufgenre, by Thorne Anderson(Saudi Aramco World)
Music of Tunisia
Wikipedia
Yemen
Traditional music in the Yemen
by A. D. Bakewell (British-Yemeni Society journal)
Music of Yemen
Wikipedia
