Ishaq al-Mawsili

Court musician to Harun al-Rashid — oud virtuoso and theorist

The greatest musician of the Abbasid golden age. Virtuoso lutenist, composer of over 100 songs, and the first systematic theorist of Arabic melodic modes.

Key works

• Songs and compositions (preserved in the Kitab al-Aghani)~800-850— Over 100 compositions — the foundation of classical Arabic court music
  Text (descriptions preserved by Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani)

Connections

External