Longa (Middle Eastern music)
Encyclopedia
A longa is a genre in Turkish music that was adapted from the Romanian music, also influenced by the Byzantine music
, with many elements of syrtos
dance in the late 19th century. It was later adopted in Arabic music and is often performed at the end of a muwashshah
.
It generally uses an iqa' equivalent to 2/4, with several sections called khanat (singular khana), each followed by a taslim
(refrain
). The last khana is generally in 3/4.
A common form of longa is longa Nahawand (لونجا نهاوند), in the maqam
Nahawand.
Byzantine music
Byzantine music is the music of the Byzantine Empire composed to Greek texts as ceremonial, festival, or church music. Greek and foreign historians agree that the ecclesiastical tones and in general the whole system of Byzantine music is closely related to the ancient Greek system...
, with many elements of syrtos
Syrtos
Syrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
dance in the late 19th century. It was later adopted in Arabic music and is often performed at the end of a muwashshah
Muwashshah
Muwashshah or muwaššaḥ can mean:...
.
It generally uses an iqa' equivalent to 2/4, with several sections called khanat (singular khana), each followed by a taslim
Taslim
Taslim is the concluding portion of the Muslim prayer .Taslim is also a deviated sect of Islam.Now it is a banned teaching of Islam in most states of Malaysia. Malaysian States Islamic Religion Councils prohibit such teaching and if anyone practises Taslim Teaching, he or she would be prosecuted...
(refrain
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
). The last khana is generally in 3/4.
A common form of longa is longa Nahawand (لونجا نهاوند), in the maqam
Arabic maqam
Arabic maqām is the system of melodic modes used in traditional Arabic music, which is mainly melodic. The word maqam in Arabic means place, location or rank. The Arabic maqam is a melody type...
Nahawand.