Occident and Intervals in "Arabic Music," from the Seventeenth Century to the Arabic Music Congress

Abstract

This article explores the history of the work done on music intervals in Arabic music by Westerners during the last three centuries. This analysis tries to unveil the theoretical precepts underlying their work and uncovers the assumptions it had on understanding the original literature on Arabic musical theory. Moreover, although the basic interests behind this exploration differed from one researcher to the others, some of the ideas put forward were extremely influential. They served to put forth strong clichés thought to be representative of the music of the Arab world. Finally, although this theoretical veil, we can discern a historical evolution which is closely linked to the historical rapport between the European and Arab cultures.