Palestinian Arab Music: A Maqam Tradition in Practice

by Dalia Cohen, Ruth Katz

This long-awaited project presents the results of a major research effort to determine the parameters of the stylistic variability of Arab folk music in Israel. Central to this old and highly improvised musical tradition is a unique modal framework that combines the concept of maqam —the foundation of Arab music theory—with other characteristics, including those of the text. Palestinian Arab Music is a comprehensive analysis of this music as actually practiced, examining both musical and nonmusical factors, their connection with the traits of individual performers, and their interaction with sociocultural phenomena.

Working initially with their own 1957 invention, the Cohen-Katz Melograph, and later with computers, Dalia Cohen and Ruth Katz recorded and digitized several hundred Palestinian music performances. The authors analyzed the musical tradition in light of its main variables. These include musical parameters, modal frameworks, the form and structure of the music, its poetic texts, and aspects of the social functions of the tradition. As a result of their study, the vexed aspect of intonation in practice is revealed to exist in a special relationship with the scale systems or maqamat, which are in turn of great importance to organizing the music and determining its modal systems.

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2006

Reviews

[Matt Middleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, this is a book on traditional folk music as sung by old Arab Israeli guys written by two Jewish Israeli authors. Never mind that, it is a fascinating study of every conceivable melodic detail that would put any person to sleep in the quickest of minutes. For those interested in comparative studies of Western and Arab folk music, it would be a great footnote in an equally pedantic dissertation.

The methodology, however, seems flawless. Cohen and Katz squeeze every conceivable ounce of musical detail out of what sound to be very simple, very boring melodies. I read it to understand Palestinian music better, but have ended up much more confused than before.

It also makes a nice, expensive collection to a book shelf, where it will be staying in my apartment for a very long time.

[Yumeko (blushes) · Rating 2 out of 5]

its so over for me and the one other reviewer. I picked this up to understand Palestinian music better as well, since I try to research music if i ever have the time to. Iranian music was so much easier to find than this. I wish they uploaded the music records they made for writing this book because GOD IS PALESTINIAN MUSIC HARD TO FIND. Fuck man. I learned alot of related things, just not about palestinian music. Really out of my depth here, or maybe the book just didnt have anything to say but drone about their classifying stuff.