Inspired by the Lebanese Zèjèl (زَجَل), which is a semi-improvised, semi-sung, or declaimed form of poetry in the colloquial Lebanese Arabic dialect. Zèjèl has close ties in prosody, delivery, form, and spirit with various semi-sung colloquial poetry traditions.

Famous for the verbal duel, the use of “Dèf”(similar to a tambourine), and a chanting chorus of men (Rèddèdi (رَدّادي)) who repeat key verses or refrains recited by the poets. The poets (Zèjjèl (زَجّال) or šè‘ér (شاعر)) express themselves either individually or collectively on a variety of themes, including life, love, nostalgia, death, politics, and daily events.

The poets declaim verses, often in the form of challenges, which are then repeated by the singers and audience.

These verbal exchanges evoke the beauty of Lebanon, the importance of tolerance, dialogue between communities and religions, and the right to difference.

This piece reflects the prosodies of the poems used in Zèjèl and its different types. while introducing many Arabic traditional music elements such as Mèqèmèt (مقامات), Zènni (زنّة), and Mèwwèl (موّال)… it also goes deep into the structure of the “Mẖèmès Mèqloub”(مخمّس مقلوب) which has a complex structure of repeated and inverted phrases, in addition to symbolizing the challenges between the poets by dialogues between the two instruments, and calls some variations on the melodies used when poets recite their poems or when the chorus repeats the refrains.

For performers

To facilitate the learning process of this piece, I prepared some materials that can be helpful to achieve the character and the intonation.

Following some practice for intonations, read the exercises and listen to the virtual recording along, then play with the recording to make sure you’re in tune!

Performances

February 9, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, The Senior Center, Iowa City, USA
February 9, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Fairfax Library, Fairfax, USA
February 10, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Springville Library, Springville, USA
February 16, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, First United Church of Christ, Tipton, USA
February 17, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Marion Library, Marion, USA
February 17, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, The James Theater, Iowa City, USA
April 17, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Central City Public Library, Central City, USA
April 18, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Oaknoll Retirement Residence, Iowa City, USA
April 19, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Ainsworth Opera House, Ainsworth, USA
April 20, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Marengo Public Library, Marengo, USA
April 23, 2023, Red Cedar ensemble, Ballantyne Auditorium, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, USA
April 24, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Lowe Park, Marion, USA
April 25, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Williamsburg Public Library, Williamsburg, USA
April 26, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Meth-Wick Community, Cedar Rapids, USA
April 27, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids, USA
April 28, 2024, Red Cedar ensemble, Congregational United Church of Christ, Iowa City, USA