Umm Kulthum, the "voice of Egypt," was the most celebrated musical performer of the century in the Arab world. More than twenty years after her death, her devoted audience, drawn from all strata of Arab society, still numbers in the millions. Thanks to her skillful and pioneering use of mass media, her songs still permeate the international airwaves. In the first English-language biography of Umm Kulthum, Virginia Danielson chronicles the life of a major musical figure and the confluence of artistry, society, and creativity that characterized her remarkable career.
Danielson examines the...

Recognizing music as a vital social and cultural force, each volume of this set of book on geographical areas of world music focuses on a single region and examines the role of music in the lives, arts and culture of its people. This volume describes the essential fabric of Middle East and then explores the traditions, performance practices, and themes that bind the music together into a dynamic tapestry of art and daily life. The coverage provides an overview of the region, reviews its music heritage and scholarship, and describes specific musical cultures, genres, and traditions. The entire...