Music of Saudi Arabia
The music of Saudi Arabia includes both Western and traditional music. The most distinguished musician in recent Saudi history is
Overview
Saudi traditional music is quite limited. However, the migratory lifestyle of the bedouin militated against carrying excess baggage, including musical instruments. Simple rhythms, with the beat counted by clapping or striking together everyday implements formed the basis of the music. Instruments like the double-reeded ney or the stringed rababa were sometimes used, after being obtained in cosmopolitan cities such as Jeddah.
However, music is considered "sinful" or "haram" by Wahhabi Muslims, including
Ibtisam Lutfi and Etab were among the first two female singers from Saudi Arabia,[2] with 1979 being a pivotal year for the emergence of female musicianship in the kingdom.[3]
Omar Basaad was chosen as the best Saudi DJ and Electronic Dance Music Producer in 2012, by Saudi Gazette.[4] He became the first official Saudi EDM (Electronic Dance Music) producer to represent Saudi Arabia internationally.[5][6][7]
Samri is a popular traditional music and dance style in Najd Region.
Dance
Ardah
Rock/metal music
Rock and metal artists from Saudi Arabia include The AccoLade and Al-Namrood.
Music institutions
Pursuant to the order of the Saudi Crown Prince, the first music teaching institute was established in Riyadh in 2019. The Institute was launched by the Egyptian violinist Mahmoud Sorour.[11] Sorour plans to train around 50 violinists to enable them to perform in Jeddah opera house that is planned to be launched in 2022.[12]
See also
Notes and references
- ^ Salah Al Budair (23 March 2007). "Obsession with music". Gulf Times. Archived from the original on 14 January 2008.
- ^ Hawash, Ali (21 August 2007). "First Female Saudi Singer Etab Dies at 66". Arab News. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- ^ "1979, the year that changed arts and culture in Saudi Arabia". Al Arabiya. Dubai. May 20, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ Nihal, Mariam (21 January 2013): "Applauding the best of Saudi entertainment" Archived 2014-11-02 at the Wayback Machine, Saudi Gazette.
- ^ Saeed, Saeed (16 August 2012): "Music and more at the next Sandance festival in Dubai", The National.
- ^ Nihal, Mariam (21 January 2013): "Applauding the best of Saudi entertainment" Archived 2014-11-02 at the Wayback Machine, Saudi Gazette.
- ^ (10 September 2012): "Saudi EDM producer to perform in Dubai’s Sandance festivalt", Arab News.
- ^ "Folk Music & Dance". saudiembassy.net. The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Washington, DC. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ISBN 978-0415888721.
- ISBN 978-0415888721.
- ^ "Top Egypt musician sees bright future for a Saudi national orchestra". Arab News. 2019-03-04. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
- ^ "Top Egypt musician sees bright future for a Saudi national orchestra". Arab News. 2019-03-04. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
Sources
- Urkevich, Lisa (2015). Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. New York: Routledge
- Badley, Bill (2000). "Sounds of the Arabian Peninsula". In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 351–354. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0
External links
- Saudi Music Examples
- Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar by L. Urkevich. New York: Routledge, 2015.
- (in French) Audio clip: traditional Saudi Arabian music. Musée d'ethnographie de Genève. Accessed November 25, 2010.
- Saudi Arabia Rock and Metal Society.