Folk Music of Palestine / Various [CD]

In this 1959 collection, American folklorist Harold Courlander documents a tradition of Palestinian folk song that has previously been known only through oral ritual. The compilation features vocally driven recordings as they are performed for ceremonial and spiritual purposes, including "Song of the Month of Fasting," "Recitation from the Koran," and several wedding songs. Songs capture different dialects and regional choral techniques. Liner notes include a comparison of the various cultural origins of Middle Eastern music, as well as descriptions and musical analyses of each song.