The traditional Arabic song "Lammā Badā Yatathanna" performed by the newfound Norwegian choir Artemis on their spring concert "Reincarnation", april 2023.

"Lammā Badā Yatathanna" ("When They Sway") is a so-called "Muwashah," an Arabic form of poetry that often deals with heartache and longing. The origin of the piece is somewhat unknown, but it is believed that the poem and melody originated in Al-Andalus during the period between the 8th and 15th centuries when the Moors occupied Spain.

The Moors were a group of Muslim invaders who conquered the Iberian Peninsula (present-day Spain and Portugal) in 711 AD and established a vast empire there. Their rule lasted for almost 800 years, and their culture, religion, and traditions had a significant impact on Spanish culture.

One of the most notable ways in which the Moors influenced Spanish culture was through music. They introduced many new instruments and musical styles to Spain, including the lute, harp, tambourine, flute, and the genre of flamenco. The Moors also contributed to the development of classical Arabic poetry, which had a profound influence on Spanish literature.

"Lamma Bada Yatathanna" is composed in the Nahawand scale (Maqām al-Nahawand), which is known in Western music theory as a harmonic minor scale. The rhythm is a so-called "Iqa sama'i thaqil," meaning that the song follows a heavy 10/8 beat, which is typical of the Muwashah genre.

Arrangement: Daniel Bahram