The present volume is a double edition in English and Arabic about the art of ornamentations in the performance of the Arabic qanun (psaltery), and a historical document spanning more than one hundred years. It is based on George Sawa's experience as an artist and performer, as well as the experience of his teachers and their teachers. For the latter, Dr Sawa used his recollections of what his teachers said about their teachers, as well as recordings made by European companies that recorded their works on 78 rpm at the beginning of the 20th century. .

Hawi l-Funun (Encompasser of the Arts) of Ibn al-Tahhan (d. ca. 1057) is a medieval Arabic music dictionary that complements other sources because of the practical knowledge of the author who was an accomplished singer, lutenist and composer. The first part in 80 chapters deals with compositions; voice production and characteristics, unison and duet singing, taking care of the voice; preludes, ornaments, tarab; the importance of tonality; approaches to teaching; musical and extra-musical behavior at the court; names of Syrian Fatimid and Ishshidid singers. The second part in 22 chapters includes lute manufacturing, frets placement, stringing and tuning; 47 rhythmic ornaments, names and definitions of rhythmic and melodic modes; types of dances; descriptions of 12 instruments.

This volume contains annotated translations of anecdotes, on musicological and socio-cultural topics, from al-Isbahani's The Grand Book of Songs. Includes music theory and treatises; instruments; composition techniques; education and transmission; vocal and instrumental performances; solo and ensemble music; improvisations; emotions; dances; social status.

George Dimitri Sawa's Arabic Musical and Socio-Cultural Glossary of Kitab al-Aghani is the first comprehensive lexicographical study of Umayyad and early Abbasid-era music theory and practices. It defines melodic and rhythmic modes, musical forms, instruments, technical terms and metaphors used in evaluating compositions and performances, and the emotional effects of tarab. It explains the processes of composition and learning, performance practice, musical change and aesthetics, and addresses the behavior of court musicians to help understand societal views of music. Medieval dictionaries, reference works on Arabic literature, theoretical treatises as well as full quotations from the Aghani are used. This glossary will be of interest to scholars and students of the music and socio-cultural history of the early Islamic era.

The Book of Songs of Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani (AD 897-971) is the most extensive collection of anecdotes from pre-Islam Mecca, Medina, Damascus and Baghdad. Entertaining and informative, these gems have remained largely inaccessible to the Western readers. This new translation presents the complete collection of love stories and poems, biting satires, daring erotic encounters, bathroom humor and hilariously detailed descriptions of genitalia, sex toys and sex positions, along with stories praising and criticizing both homosexuality and heterosexuality-topics that set the tone for the Arabian Nights centuries later.