Diwan al-aghani min kalam al-Andalus [Treasury of songs from the words of al-Andalus], edited by Edmond Nathan Yafil. Algiers: Edmond Nathan Yafil and Eliahu Seror, [ca. 1905]. Judeo-Arabic.
A collection of Jewish and Arabic songs from the Andalusi tradition, arranged in nūbāt (the andalusi nūbah is a multi-movement musical piece, comparable to the suite form in western classical music). Compiled by Algerian-Jewish musician Edmond Nathan Yafil, the anthology seeks to preserve the musical tradition of Muslim Spain's golden age, rooted in both Jewish and Muslim cultures. Published concurrently with a nearly identical book in Arabic. Both preserve hundreds of classical texts which, if not for this publication, may have been lost.
Edmond Nathan Yafil (1874-1928), a prominent and highly-respected Algerian-Jewish musician, regarded as one of the greatest North-African musicians in Muslim and Jewish circles alike. Studied under the famous Algerian musician Muhammad Bin Ali Sfindja. Yafil headed the El Moutribia school and ensemble, and was a key figure in the revival of Andalusi music in Algeria, having also published dozens of books containing traditional Algerian nubat, which he compiled and transcribed into the western notation system. The present book and its Arabic twin played an important role in the documentation and preservation project of traditional Andalusi music.
For further reading:
• Shiloah, Amnon. "The Activity of Jewish Musicians in Classical Algerian Music and Related Areas". Pe'amim, vol. 91, 2002, pp. 51-64.
• Silver, Christopher. "Recording History: Jews, Muslims, and Music across Twentieth Century North Africa". Stanford University Press, 2022.
[2] ff., 390 pp., [3] ff., 2, 26 pp., approx. 23 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Creases. Numerous library stamps. Numerous penned and penciled inscriptions. Some pages loose or partially detached. Tears, including small open tears, to edges of several pages. Hardcover with leather spine and gilt lettering. Damage and wear to cover. Several softcover copies are known of.