Musical instruments from the collection of the Foundation El legado andalusí

3rd-9th July, 2023

Casa de la Cultura de Baena (Córdoba). C/ Cuadrilleros Hermanos Aguilera Urbano, s/n

Special collaboration on the occasion of the celebration of the 4th Early Music Festival “El Corazón del Cancionero”, in Baena.

As part of the Early Music Festival El Corazón del Cancionerofrom 4th to 10th July, this exhibition showcases a selection of musical instruments used in al-Andalus and others influenced by them. These instruments are part of the El legado andalusí Foundation’s collection.

One notable inclusion is a replica of the lute, crafted by luthier Carlos Paniagua, which resembles the instrument depicted in the renowned Leyre chest. This ivory chest, showing a scene with musicians, was manufactured during the Caliphate of Cordoba, being currently preserved in the Museum of Navarre.

Additionally, the exhibition displays a diverse range of instruments, such as a qanun from the Andalusi tradition crafted in Algeria, tar’ or tambourines, a qitara from the Moroccan school, nays or reed flutes, darbuqas, and a vihuela.

During the era of al-Andalus, a multitude of musical instruments made their way to the Iberian Peninsula, including the lute (ud), psaltery (qanun), rabel (rabab), añafil or trumpet (nafir), and theatabal or timbal (tabl). Remarkably, many of these instruments still bear their Arabic names. Notably, Ziryab, who arrived in al-Andalus from the East during the 9th century, revolutionized the classical lute by introducing the fifth string.