The piece I’ve chosen, “Lamma Bada Yatathanna,” or “Lama Bada,” comes from the renowned muwashshah tradition of the Nahawand maqam, a specific scale in Arabic music. Muwashshah is not only a musical style but also a form of Arabic poetry.  This piece, with disputed authorship attributed to either Lisan al-Din Ibn al-Khatib or Muhammad Abdulrahim Al-Maslub, stands out for its simple, repetitive melody. The instrumentation features elements like a flute, possibly the Kawala, a stringed instrument, likely the oud, occasional use of the riq, a distinct presence of the violin, and a female vocalist. What is intersting about “Lamma Bada” is the numerous variations of the piece. I chose this piece because I feel it effectively captures the overall essence and general feel of Middle Eastern music.

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