Egyptian Music
Echoes of history in every melody
About Egyptian Music
Music is considered a part of Egyptian civilization, perhaps since its beginning. Drawings of tombs and temples show a variety of instruments, whether in religious or secular settings, and many of the dead were buried with some instruments. This led to the belief that music formed an integral part not only of Egyptian rituals, but also of daily life and relaxation.
Ancient Egypt
Music and singing were of great importance to ancient Egyptian society since the First Pharaonic Dynasty around 3400 BC. History also mentions that priests, religious leaders, and the state, headed by the god-king Pharaoh, all paid special attention to music because of its close connection to religious life and its essential role in performing rituals and worship, and accompanying religious hymns and prayers.
Music was held in high esteem in the lives of the Pharaohs, as the state entrusted the priests with the responsibility of caring for this art. This reflects the extent of the respect and sanctification of this art by ancient Egyptian society, in all its classes.
Islamic era
Egyptian music went through several stages at the beginning of the Islamic era, and the early Islamic studies conducted by Al-Kindi and Al-Farabi left behind a wealth of documents containing important scientific theories taken from ancient civilizations (Greek and Persian) and then developed into what is now considered the basis of Arabic music.
The Modern era
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, music and singing flourished in Egypt. During this century, Egypt witnessed a variety of popular art, including religious and national holiday celebrations, public and private parties accompanied by musical bands. With the arrival of the French campaign, scholars compiled some of the music recorded at that time without musical notation in their book “Description of Egypt.” Attempts to present local music in Egypt emerged, led by Abdo al-Hamuli and Muhammad Uthman, until the end of the century. The beginning of the twentieth century witnessed major musical events, as music began to be written. Egyptian musical theatre flourished at the hands of Sheikh Salama Hegazy, who presented international theatre in Arabic and infused it with Arabic poems. After him, the people’s artist Sayed Darwish, who is considered the spiritual father of Egyptian music, and with Darwish’s introduction, everything in music changed. He brought about a real and rapid development, moving towards new themes and new forms characterised by their close proximity to local folk music, while adopting modern methods in musical composition. After him came knights, each of whom walked an artistic path that led him to achieve a distinct musical style, including the musician Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Mohamed El Qasabgi, Riyad El Sunbati, Baligh Hamdi, Kamal El Tawil, and other composers and musicians.
