Manuscript - Piyutim of Aleppo \ Turkey-Syria [?]. 19th Cen.

Manuscript - Piyutim of Aleppo \ Turkey-Syria [?]. 19th Cen.
Impressive handwritten notebook, parts in Rashi handwriting font.
Opened with an introduction by the author and his signature, dated 1871.
Over 80 handwritten pages.

Arabic maqam is the system of melodic modes used in traditional Arabic music, which is mainly melodic. The word maqam in Arabic means place, location or position. The Arabic maqam is a melody type. It is "a technique of improvisation" that defines the pitches, patterns, and development of a piece of music and which is "unique to Arabian art music." There are seventy two heptatonic tone rows or scales of maqamat. These are constructed from major, neutral, and minor seconds. Each maqam is built on a scale, and carries a tradition that defines its habitual phrases, important notes, melodic development and modulation. Both compositions and improvisations in traditional Arabic music are based on the maqam system. Maqamat can be realized with either vocal or instrumental music, and do not include a rhythmic component. Different emotions are attributed to the different maqams: sadness, grief, happiness, yearning, pride, love, etc.

Shirat Ha'Bakashot on Sabbath Eve
"Shirat Ha'Bakashot" is the name for a collection of Piyutim sung by the worshipers at the synagogue before the Shacharit prayer. In the Jewish community of Aleppo, Shirat Ha'Bakashot was highly developed and special books with Shirat Ha'Bakashot were printed. The members of the community used to wake up before dawn on winter Sabbaths (which had long nights) and sing the "Shirat Ha'Bakashot" for four hours, until the time of Shacharit. Some communities in Israel, such as the Ades synagogue and Moussaieff synagogue of Jerusalem, still continue with this tradition today.