Mutʿat al-asmāʿ fī ʿilm al-samāʿ, The Ears’ Pleasure and the Science of Listening to Music by Aḥmad b. Yūsuf al-Tīfāshī al-Qafṣī (580-651/1184-1253)

The book deals with musicians’ behaviour at the court; the process of composition; modes, repertoire and instruments in Andalusia, the Maghreb, Persia and the Middle East; new poetic forms: zajal and muwashshaḥ; dance and shadow dance in Andalusia and the Middle East.

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The manuscript from the thirteenth century deals with musicians’ behaviour at the court; singers'qualities; the eminence of music and its effect on people and animals; the importance of drinking when listening to music; the process of composition; rhythmic and melodic modes, and repertoire in Andalusia, the Maghreb, Persia and the Middle East; Andalusian song lyrics and the appearance of new poetic forms such as the zajal and the muwashshaḥ; Andalusian musical instruments; dances of Egypt, Iraq, Syria, India and China; Andalusian dances and shadow plays and shadow dancers; aesthetics of dance; poems describing the dances.