ABSTRACT
Scattered throughout the modern Arab world are a number of regional musical traditions commonly referred to as “Andalusian” and generally thought to have developed, through different historical paths, from the vibrant musical culture of al-Andalus, medieval Islamic Spain. This chapter explores the historical circumstances that have led to the formation of these related but divergent regional traditions, the ways in which they are perceived to be Andalusian by their audiences and practitioners, and the variety of social meanings they have come to embody as musical ‘membrances of medieval Muslim Spain. Al-Andalus bequeathed to the world a rich heritage in poetry, literature, architecture, philosophy, science, theology, and landscape design, as well as music. The Andalusian music festival that opens with tonight’s performance was originally planned to last several nights and to include the participation of nearly two dozen orchestras from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
