Program Notes
 

    Ziryab was an African slave troubadour in 9th century Baghdad.

As the story goes; the Kalif of Baghdad suffered from insomnia and he would have his favorite oud player, Ibrahim Mouseli, play for him at night until the Kalif eventually fell asleep. One evening the Kalif requested Mouseli but he was not available, so one of Mouseli’s students, a young man of 17 called Ziryab (Blackbird), played for the Kalif instead. The Kalif was transported and he called for Ziryab night after night. But Mouseli threatened his student that he would be a dead man if he didn’t leave Baghdad. Ziryab left immediately to Cordoba. There he found a young Kalif who was interested in all the new ideas, and Ziryab’s style was very popular at court. Ziryab not only brought an awareness of the oud into Europe, but he brought a new style of food - which we now know as tapas - he brought cosmetics for men and women, and a new style and sense of dress. Ziryab was an amazing transmitter for his incredible sense of refinement and discrimination. He became quite famous in his lifetime and remained famous for hundreds of years. People wanted to dress like him, learn from him, and play the oud like him. The oud was still played in Europe by Muslims, Jews, and Christians for hundreds of years after his death. He is thought to have been one of the greatest influences on Spanish music of all time.                          

    This is a celebration of Ziryab that explores the Middle Eastern roots of Spanish music, the intertwining of Andalusian cultures, and their far-reaching influence on modern Spanish and South American folk traditions.