Product Description

This book is an overview of the musical life of the Arabs throughout their cultural history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #518194 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-15
• Original language: German
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 260 pages

Review
"Finally, a readable, authoritative introduction to Arabic Music has been translated in to English ... The Music of the Arabs is simultaneously exhilarating and humbling."

Customer Reviews

Best introduction I've read
Yearning to discuss technical specifications of the oud? Want to casually mention the influence of the maqam phenomenon at your next cocktail party?

Me either. That's why I bought this book instead of some dry pedantic musicological tome. (Besides, I hate cocktail parties.)

Arab music is fascinating to listen to, but it's great to be able to understand what's coming out of the speakers. Touma deftly handles major aspects of the music, and provides a layman's glossary and even a transliteration of the Arabic alphabet. Out of all the books I bought, this was the only one I could understand without a degree in musicology.

A fabulous and down-to-earth introduction to what is often a mysterious subject.