Feature: Why Are Umm Kulthoum's Songs So Long?

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PRESENTER

Yasmeen Shahzadeh

ORIGINAL CITY 

Montreal

Original Date

November 3, 2019

Description

Umm Kulthoum is undoubtedly one of the Middle East's most iconic and legendary performers. Her performances enchanted listeners across the Middle East and beyond, and her fame has left behind a true legacy. Umm Kulthoum's performances could sometimes last more than 4 hours, with each individual song lasting up to an hour! Her lengthy ballads were an iconic element of her song and the musical legacy she left behind. But - why were her songs even that long? This presentation explores the history and style of music that Umm Kulthoum participated in that contributed to the length of her songs and performances.

Sources & Future References

• [Interview] Namik Sinan Turan: "Umm Kulthum is a Shared Cultural Symbol of Egypt and the Arab World" - Maydan

• MofA Weeks 5, 6: Music and Media - Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology

• ألا تزال أم كلثوم تؤثّر على الثقافة بعد أربعة وأربعين عاماً على وفاتها؟ - رصيف 22

• Photos of crowd's expressions in an Umm Kulthum concert in Egypt. Circa 1950's - Imgur

• Tarab

• Mansour Rahbani | The Telegraph

• Arabic Music and the Audience - doublebasseast

• Umm Kulthum - Wikipedia

• Biography | Umm Kulthum

• Book: The Voice of Egypt by Virginia Danielson

Contact Info

Instagram: @yasmeentravels

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