YEMEN • YAHYA AL-NUNU

Yahya al-Nûnû is one of the last authentic representatives of the classical singing tradition of Sanaa (al-fan al-sana'a) and one of the last players of the yemeni lute qanbûs. He is accompanied by his friend Muhammad al-Khamîsî, a master of the small gong sahn nuhasi. They perform compositions of the 16th and 17th centuries which convey the classic themes of Oriental poetry: friendship, seduction, separation, in a chaste and delicate style. This recording introduces the listener in the peaceful mood of a lukewarm afternoon when the qat shewing loosens the tongues and frees the spirits.