Qudud Halabiya (قدود حلبية) literally means musical measures of Aleppo, is a form of Syrian Arab classical music found in both Arabic poetic form and secular musical genre. The poetic form is based on Andalous-era poetry sung in classical Arabic, and closely related with the Muwashshat.
History
Qudud Halabiya was originated in al-Andalus. However, it was formed as a musical genre in the Levant, mainly in the city of Aleppo. It was developed by the musicians in Aleppo, based on secular, folk and religious songs.
During the 20th century, Qudud Halabiya was further developed and popularized by many Aleppine musicians including Omar al-Batsh (1885–1950), Abdul Qader al-Hajjar (1917–1993), Bakri al-Kurdi (1909–1978), Bakri Rajab (1910–1979), Sabri Moudallal (1918-2006), Sabah Fakhri (1933-2017), Mohammad Khairy (1935-1981), etc.
Contemporary Qudud Halabiya performers include Mohammad Qadri Dallal, Shadi Jamil, Nihad Najjar, Hamam Khairy, Shahd Barmada, Nadya Manfukh, Subhi Toufic, etc.