Laylit Houb

Passion, pain, devotion, torture. Love. The story of two lovers and their tumultuous relationship are examined in this arrangement of Mohamed Abdel Wahad's "Laylet Hob". The lyrics of the song by Oum Kalthoum speak of a male lover pining over the absence of his Love who is uncharacteristically absent from an arranged meeting. Passions flare and conflicts abound in this cogent exploration of a spurned lover seeking resolution from his pain.

Program Notes

Laylit Houb - A traditional Arabic love song, Laylit Houb explores the passion and emotion felt by a male lover who is missing his absent mate. Translated as "Night of Love," Laylit Houb takes the listener on an emotional onslaught brought on by the uncharacteristic absence of the singer's lover at an arranged meeting. Through numerous Arabic styles, rhythms and melodies, the listener experiences the passion, pain, devotion, torture and love felt by the male lover as he pines over his missing Love. After a cyclical, emotional gauntlet of emotions performed in minor modes, the piece comes to rest with a major resolution as the female lover finally arrives and the two are united again.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2013
Number of Players: 8-8-5-5-5
Duration: 5:20
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: String Orchestra

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Instrumentation

Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Contrabass