Classical Music of Egypt

various artists compilation - Classical Music of Egypt

All of the pieces are instrumental solo pieces. Tracks 1 and 4 are performed on the qānūn. Track 2 is performed on the nāy. Track 3 is performed on the 'ūd. Here's an explanation of the instruments from the liner notes. 

Qānūn or Kānūn

A chordophone originated in Middle East. We already had its prototype in ancient Egypt. The Kānūn plays an important part in the modern Arab orchestra. Its basic tone is sol. It has 78 chords which produce 26 tones because we tunes up each 3 chords into one pitch. The longer side of the instrument is 120cm, the shorter 50cm, and the length 74cm long. Made of wood, it has 4 sound holes on the surface. The right edge is covered with skins of fish, and the left edge has a lot of levers for microtones which the Turks brought into this instrument relatively in later period. For scratching the chords we use plectra which are fixed to the index-fingers of both hands by metal rings. The basic skill is common but there are some different performing styles. In Egypt they play octaves at the same time, on the other hand in Turkey they often use tremolo on single tone. As the kānūn is delicately influenced by temperature and humidity, we must tune it all the time. It is said that this instrument is the original one of European zither.

nāy

End-blown flute. We find it in all Middle East area, including Egypt. And we can also find its prototype in ancient Egypt. Its basic tone is re. A set consists of 7 tubes. According to the maqāmāt we use either of the 7 tubes. Each tube gives 2 octaves and half tones. It is made of reed and has always 9 joints. Although hollowing the joints out, their small pieces still remain inside the tube. That is the reason why the nāy produces such delicate sounds. It has 6 finger-holes on the surface and 1 on the back. They give half-tone-scale. The nāy came to Europe by way of Andalusia and became the flute.

‘ūd

The plucked string instrument originated in Persia. In Egypt it has 5 double strings (tuning:do->sol->re->la->mi from higher.) Strings were once made of guts, but nowadays made of nylon or steel. We pluck these chords with the thin plectrum called 'rīshah', formerly made of horn of animals, rachis of birds or piece of woods, today made of plastic. A chord is usually 60cm long. The ‘ūd has a big sound hole called "shamsīya (the sun)" and two small ones called "qamarīya (the moon)" on the surface. The ‘ūd maker displays his ability in the ornanents of these holes. Because of the roundish back side, it was also called 'barbat' which means 'the chest of duck' in Persian. The ‘ūd has become the essencial instrument for musicians since the Abbasid period. And so, even today. In ensemble it takes charge of melody but very often it plays alone. The tone color of the ‘ūd varies deversely according to the teqnique of the performer. It became the model of European lute, and also became Chinese "p' ip' a" which was introduced into Japan, where the instrument is called "biwa".


Tracklisting:

1. Hossam D.M.S. 'Abd Al-Rahman - Maqām Nahāwand {10:15}

2. Mohammad A.M. Fudah - Maqām Sabā {18:46}

3. Sayyid M.M. Husayn - Maqām Kurd {20:51}

4. Hossam D.M.S. 'Abd Al-Rahman - Maqām Hijāzkar {11:44}

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