What makes Yemeni music special? [Archives:2006/927/Last Page]

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March 9 2006

The music culture of Yemen is a domain which has been scarcely known or documented. Yet, it has deep historic roots. The music of Yemen is extremely rich in genres, repertoires and configurations, functional relationships, modalities of performance and instruments. Yemenite music in general, and regardless of all the differences between layers of tradition and local and regional styles, has a particular attraction and charm, virtues which have been praised since ancient times.

The traditional music life in Yemenite towns knows no concerts or concert halls. Music performances form part of various functions. In Sana'a there are two main occasions: magyal, a social afternoon gathering and samra, night time entertainment. Recorded at a modern magyal, this volume features the classical traditional style of Yemen.

The most significant individual style of art music in Yemen is based closely on poetry, including both classical Arabic poetry as well as that of Yemeni poets over the past centuries and up to today.

Performance style consists of a solo singer with accompaniment (typically 'ud). Along with the basic combination of voice & 'ud, there can be percussion instruments to highlight the rhythms in subtly expressive ways. Many variants on this style exist in Yemen, and as a historical form, this was the specifically Arabic musical style which first made a world impact during the early Islamic Empire. The styles in Yemen are especially fluid in rhythm, with a wide variety of metrical patterns derived from poetic language, and articulated without strong rhythmic accents.

This is especially true of the largest single style, that of Sana'a, the capital. “The Music of Islam