Your Cart is Empty
The last two decades have brought the artistic community closer, thanks to the Internet. Scan through your Instagram or Facebook feed, and you will come across art and culture from around the world. Artists cannot ask for anymore, can they, when music and poetry from different corners of the globe are available at our fingertips. As a choir group in the West, you would have surely found new inspiration beyond Western classics and contemporary arrangements on the Internet. These present a unique opportunity to expand your soundscape and offer something unique to your audience. In an era where concert halls draw crowds from diverse backgrounds, diversity in the repertoire makes your group stand out.
While there is no dearth of inspiration, Middle Eastern music, with its enchanting melodies, has gained immense popularity. If you keep an eye on the emerging trends, you’ll notice that Middle Eastern music is entering the repertoire of most Western choir groups. We are seeing more groups incorporate Middle Eastern compositions into their repertoire, which is being well-received by the audience. The fast-growing Middle Eastern diaspora in the West is also a reason behind this trend. It not only bridges the cultural divide between the West and the Middle East but also offers a unique experience to choir lovers.
If your choir is looking for the perfect introduction to Arabic poetry, at Dozan World, we are proud to introduce 'Lamma Bada Yatathanna'. It is a masterpiece, a jewel of Arabic poetry and music, cherished for centuries across the Middle East. Composed in the 14th century, it continues to inspire performers with its beauty and depth. We present to you an array of this wonderful choral arrangement, which serves as the perfect starting point for any Western choir seeking to explore Middle Eastern music.
When seeking inspiration from another part of the world, starting with something famous and well-recognized is often the best approach. Not only do you find more resources online, but it strikes a perfect chord with your audience as more people can relate to it. Lamma Bada Yatathanna is undoubtedly the most famous muwashshahat from this region. It will be challenging for you to find another poem that has as much of a cult following as this.
While there is considerable debate surrounding the author of this muwashshahat, most scholars credit the famous poet and historian Lisan ad-Din Ibn al-Khatib with composing it in the 14th century. Muwashshah is a secular poetic form that emerged in Muslim Spain, combining Arabic poetry with rhythm and melody. The lyrics evoke love, longing, and the beauty of the beloved. The first lines, “Lamma bada yatathanna, hobi jamaluhu fettana” mean “When my love appeared walking with a swinging gait” carrying immense emotional depth.
One of the reasons it serves as a good starting point for Western choirs is that Lamma Bada Yatathanna was composed in the Nahawand maqam. This mode shares the closest similarities with harmonic minor scales in Western music, making it an ideal starting point. Although it possesses its own unique rhythm, it is easy to practice and perfect for any Western choir. Your choir will have the perfect opportunity to experience unfamiliar tonalities and explore modal scales before experimenting with other genres of maqam and building a diverse repertoire of Middle Eastern music.
As a group taking initial steps in Middle Eastern music, we at Dozan World understand the challenges you’d face. Hence, we are curating a growing collection of sheet music that enables Western choir groups and soloists to pick up the nuances easily. Our Lamma Bada Yatathanna - SA, SAB, SSAA and SSATB with Instruments is a carefully crafted version of this timeless poem for Western musicians. While this arrangement has been adapted for contemporary performance, it respectfully preserves the tradition that will make it sound authentic to any ear, even in the Middle East. Don’t worry if your group members are experimenting with Middle Eastern music; this instrumental piece is just the stepping stone you need.
At Dozan World, we are on a mission to celebrate the musical heritage of the region and share it with the world. We invite you to explore beyond Lamma Bada Yatathanna and develop a fondness for the richness of music in this land, which has been shaped over centuries. With this piece, your group will gain an understanding of the unique modal scales and rhythmic complexity. As your trusted guide to the music from this part of the world, we believe this will be the right introduction you need.
Lamma Bada Yatathanna is more than just another Middle Eastern poem; it is the perfect beginning of a fond journey into the musical heritage of this region. Add this masterpiece to your cart now, and expand your repertoire.
FAQs
What is a muwashshah?
A muwashshah is a secular poetic and musical form that emerged in al-Andalus (medieval Moorish Spain). These compositions combine poetic rhyme, melody, and sometimes complex rhythms. Lamma Bada Yatathanna is the most famous muwashahat.
What is a maqam?
The maqam is the foundation of Middle Eastern music, a system of melodic modes. There are different types of maqamat, and each has its emotional character.
What maqam is used in this piece?
Lamma Bada Yatathanna is based on the Nahawand maqam. Interestingly, it is closest to Western harmonic minor scales and serves as a great introduction to Middle Eastern music.
Can our new choir group practice it?
Lamma Bada Yatathanna is one of the best introductions to the musical heritage of this region. It is the ideal starting point for any Western group.
Does your arrangement have a choral part?
Yes, our library includes both a cappella arrangements and one with the instrumental accompaniment making it easy for you to get started. You can explore the choral part here.