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Wikipedia says that "Taqsim is the name of a melodic improvisation style that could be metric or non-metric which usually precedes a composition in Arabic, Turkish, Greek or other Middle Eastern music. The taqsim is usually performed by a solo instrument, yet sometimes the soloist can be backed by a percussionist or an instrumentalist playing a drone on the tonic of the maqam… "<\/p>\n
It is widely seen as an art of improvisation in a specific maqam, but usually modulation to other maqams (maqamat) are present in a taqsim.<\/p>\n
Taqsim traditionally follows a certain melodic progression… Following the introduction, the improviser is free to move anywhere in the maqam and even modulate to other "maqams" as long as he returns to the original. Taqsim is considered by many to be a connection to the spritual world.<\/p>\n
Taqsim for the Moon (qamar) is just that and more. This CD produced by Yasmin<\/a> of Washington D.C. brings to mind the word spirituality and also ecstasy, tarab and saltanah. Most importantly I believe it is probably Yasmin’s wish to subliminally educate her audience, most of whom are dancers, while entertaining and feeding their souls.<\/p>\n Cry to the Moon, in my opinion, is a very different CD. It is a special CD meant to be listened to, studied and enjoyed rather than to be used as a performance CD. (However, there are many danceable tracks.)<\/p>\n The booklet that accompanies this CD includes very important information on Arabic music including definitions on taqsim and maqam; information on the musical instruments; short but complete and interesting bios on Om Kalthoum<\/a><\/span> and Farid al Atrash<\/span> and transliterations and translations of the songs used. <\/p>\n This booklet alone is reason to buy the CD.<\/p>\n Yasmin introduces six songs and a drum solo. The songs are accompanied by solo instruments playing a taqsim. Some of these instruments are traditional such as nay<\/a> and oud<\/a> and some are modern (but probably also considered traditional in today’s world) such as the organ and the accordion. I have many favorite tracks in this CD, the oud, the nay and more, but my most favorite selections are performed by Karim Henkesh<\/span>: <\/p>\n \nThe word tarab comes to mind in these pieces.There is no word in English that accurately translates the word tarab from Arabic to English. It is definitely the emotional effect of the music.<\/p>\n\n
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