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Miras-ı Saz

Abu al-Salt

Music theorist · Born: 1068 · Died: 1134
Hijri calendar: ⁦460/61 – 528/29⁩

Andalusian scholar, known for his treatise on music and for bringing Andalusian music to North Africa.

In brief

  • Period: 11th–12th century
  • Born in: Dénia (al-Andalus)
  • Died in: Mahdia (Tunisia)
  • Musical work: Risala fi'l-musiqi (survives in Hebrew translation)
  • Instrument: Oud

Life

Abu al-Salt was born in Dénia in al-Andalus and studied philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy and music in Seville. In 1096 he moved to Egypt, stayed in Cairo and Alexandria during the Fatimid period and was imprisoned for a time. He then settled in Mahdia (Tunisia) and lived there for the rest of his life. He was a music scholar who played the oud well; his work Risala fi'l-musiqi has survived in a Hebrew translation. It is reported that the melodies he composed in North Africa lived on for centuries.[1, 2]

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Teachers, students and family[1]

Teachers

Ebü’l-Velîd el-Vakkaşî

Students

Ebû Abdullah eş-ŞâmîFeyyâz el-İskenderânî

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Sources

  1. TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi
  2. Wikipedia