OUR DEBT AN EXTRACT FROM A PROGRAMME NOTE

Copyright © 2007 June Grandwells. All rights reserved.

There are different theses on the origin of the violin family; the lyre (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Syria, BC 3000), the rabāb (Arabia, before 10th century), the kithara (Egypt, later brought to ancient Greece; The words, zither and guitar are derivatives of kithara), the rebec (also called rubābe, Mediaeval; The origin of the rabāb), the vihuela (lute family, Spain), have all been heralded as precursors.

In each case, we should not forget the intertwined cultures of Hellenism, Islam and Europe. The Persian instrument, the barbat, was the inspiration for the al’ūd and the ūd-shabbūt in Bagdad in 8th century. When the al’ūd was brought by the Moors, it became the European lute, a thesis supported by etymological evidence. And there is further evidence which suggests that the lute is the origin of the Spanish guitar. Ultimately, any genres of music known today would not exist, if the Moore had not come to Europe.

Copyright © 2007 June Grandwells. All rights reserved. NextPrevious

There are myriad artworks influenced by ethnicity. But for the intricate patterns of events among different races, and the oppression of the Moors, Shakespeare would not have written Othello so that the Verdi’s opera would not exist. In the opening ceremony of the Jameel Gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum, His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, highlighted, “we often forget the huge debt we owe to Islam.”

And, we cannot dismiss, needless to say, African and Caribbean influences on European culture. Jazz, which inspired so many classical composers, is one of the best examples.

Copyright © 2007 June Grandwells. All rights reserved.Previous Antique Frames: www.antiqueframes.eu / Wallpaper: httpwww.wallpaperdirect.co.uk