Andalusian classical music
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| Andalusian classical music | |
Andalusian classical music is a style of classical music found across North Africa, though it evolved out of the music of Andalusia between the 10th and 15th centuries. It is now most closely associated with Morocco, and a derivative called malouf is known in Tunisia.
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Origins
Andalusian classical music probably evolved under the Moors in Cordoba, and the Baghdad-born musician Zyriab is usually credited with its invention. Zyriab invented the nuba, a suite which forms the basis of al-âla, the primary form of Andalusian classical music today, along with gharnati and malhun.
Music
There used to be twenty-four nuba linked to each hour of the day, but only four nuba have survived in their entirety, and seven in fragmentary form. An entire nuba can last six or seven hours and are divied into five parts called mizan, each with a corresponding rhythm. The rhythms occur in the following order in a complete nuba:
- basît (6/4)
- qaum wa nusf (8/4)
- darj (4/4)
- btâyhi (8/4)
- quddâm (3/4 or 6/8)
Each mizan begins with instrumental preludes called either tuashia, m'shaliya or bughya, followed by as many as twenty songs (sana'a) in the entire mizan.
Andalusian classical schools are spread across Morocco, having left Spain when the Arabs were driven out of the country. Valencia's school is now in Fez, while Granada's is located in Tetouan and Chaouen. Cities like Tangier and Meknes have their own orchestras as well.
Instruments
Andalusian classical music uses instruments including oud (lute), rabab (fiddle), darbouka (goblet drums), taarija (tambourine), kanun (zither) and kamenjah (violin). Other instruments have included pianos, banjos and clarinets, though none of these instruments lasted for long.
