Early Music Show Special: Al-Andalus!

AL-ANDALUS! THE TREASURES OF MOORISH SPAIN & PORTUGAL.A day of programme exploring the music and culture of Al-Andalus - the 800 year period of Muslim rule in Spain and Portugal which ended in 1492. Al-Andalus was both a beacon of learning and knowledge in the Middle Ages and a place of subordination for Christians and Jews. The music and culture which emerged from the three faiths left a unique legacy. Hannah French is joined in the studio by guests including musicologist Jonathan Shannon, Islamic art historian Sabiha al Khemir and historian Hugh Kennedy to explore the music and culture of Al-Andalus, with contributions from linguist Dr Alice Corr and food writer Claudia Roden. 1200 - Hannah French introduces us to some of sights and sounds pf Al-Andalus alongside guests Sabiha al Khemir and Hugh Kennedy.1215 – THE MUSIC OF AL-ANDALUS Singer and performer Belinda Sykes delves into the Arabic influences on the music of the Iberian Peninsula - connections, parallels and differences between the various secular repertoires of medieval Spain.1315 - Hannah French and guests explore how the culture of Al-Andalus has influenced modern-day Spanish and Portuguese language, architecture, food, literature and music, including contributions from linguist Dr Alice Corr (Birmingham University) and food writer Claudia Roden. 1345 - FADO, & FLAMENCO – legacy of a different sort Elizabeth Kinder delves into more contemporary Spanish and Portuguese music including fado, flamenco and fandango to find out how the music of Al-Andalus has left its mark. With contributions from Rui Nery (foremost expert on fado, based in Lisbon), Juan Pinilla (flamenco singer, based in Granada) and Anita La Maltesa (performer of fandango and flamenco dance, based in London).1410 – Hannah French and guests ask where the Al-Andalus traditions are most alive today, in music, language, architecture and writing.1415 - AMINA ALAOUI Amina Alaoui is a Moroccan-born exponent of the Andalus tradition, who really opened the doors for female singers to perform this repertoire. Having studied in Granada, she specialises in the gharnati (the Arabic word for Granada) style of music. Amina talks about her studies, her career and about her love of this music, and we hear some of her favourite music. 1430 - Hannah French and her studio guests return to examine some of the myths and memories of Al-Andalus amongst Muslims and Europeans today1440 - ORCHESTRE ARABO-ANDALOUI DE FEZ This musical tradition is still very much alive in north Africa today, but much less so in Spain and Portugal. We hear from musician Mohammed Briouel, artistic director of the Morocco-based Orchestre Arabo-Andaloui de Fes, to find out what this music means to him and his peers. 1450 Hannah French and her guests sum up the afternoon with final thoughts and some delicious treats courtesy of Claudia Roden!