Zyriab
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Zyriab, poet and musician, of Persian origin.
From Baghdad, Persia (now Iraq) Zyriab was a gifted pupil of Ishaq al-Mawsili. He had to leave Baghdad when his skills as a musician surpassed those of his teacher. He moved to Córdoba in southern Spain and was accepted as court musician in the court of Abd al-Rahman II of the Umayyad Dynasty (822-52).
Abd al-Rahman II was a great patron of the arts and Zyriab was given a great deal of freedom. He established one of the first schools of music, introduced the oud into Europe, and made changes to the structure of the oud adding more strings. He was supposedly a great virtuoso on the oud and an amazing singer.
With regard to musical theory, he made many changes, setting free the metrical and rhythmical parameters and creating new ways of expression (mwashah, zajal, and nawbah - or suite).
Besides his musical achievements he also introduced into Europe other elements of Persian culture, including etiquette, cooking, fashion, and toothpaste among others.