M1824.I5S57

Includes bibliographical references (p. 188-190), discography (p. 191), and indexes

Maqam in general and Iraqi maqam in particular -- An anthology of Iraqi maqam. The Rast family ; The Beyat family ; The Husseini family ; The Hijaz family ; The Saba family ; The Segah family ; The Nawa family ; The Ajam/Jahargah family ; Miscellaneous maqams

The classical music of Iraq, known as Iraqi Maqam, features classical and vernacular poetry sung by a virtuoso soloist and accompanied by a small instrumental ensemble. It is a remarkably cosmopolitan art, sharing many features with neighboring classical traditions, particularly Iranian. Its repertoire consists of orally transmitted, multi-sectioned compositions, performed with some flexibility regarding ornamentation, arrangement and development. Focusing on the period between 1930-1980. This is a reference source that offers the first comprehensive view of the musical contents of the repertoire--scalar structure, melodic materials and overall form--through various tables and musical transcriptions. This reference consolidates information from prominent Iraqi sources and draws upon a selection of recordings by master musicians, including Rashid Qundarchi and Yusuf Omar. An introductory section provides a brief overview of pan-Middle Eastern modal theory along with an outline of the terminology, theory and practices specific to Iraqi Maqam. The main section of the work is a catalog of 40 maqams that constitute the central core of the contemporary repertoire.