The Western Study of Intervals in "Arabic Music," from the Eighteenth Century to the Cairo Congress

Abstract

This article explores the history of work on music intervals in Arabic music by Westerners during the last three centuries. This analysis tries to unveil the theoretical precepts underlying their work. 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 about the music of the Arab world. Finally, through this theoretical veil, we can discern a historical evolution which is closely linked to the historical rapport between the European and Arab cultures.