(fl late 15th century). Arab theorist. His two treatises, one of which, al-Risāla al-fathiyya (‘The victory treatise’), is dedicated to the Ottoman Sultan Bāyazīd II (1481–1512), are among the last significant additions to the Systematist school of theoretical writing derived from Safī al-Dīn. They treat mainly of intervallic relationships, tetrachord, pentachord and octave species, and rhythm; however, in common with several of the later Systematist treatises they make no significant theoretical contributions in these areas. Al-Lādhiqī is important, rather, for the information he provides on musical practice; while reproducing the definitions of the modes and rhythms given by earlier theorists, he also includes extensive lists relating to contemporary usage which give some insight into the various changes and developments taking place during the 15th century.
Al-risāla al-fathiyya fī al-mūsīqī [The victory treatise concerning the theory of music] (MS, GB-Lbl Oriental 6629; National Library, Cairo, f.j.7); Fr. trans. in La musique arabe, ed. R. d'Erlanger, iv (Paris, 1939), 257–498
Zayn al-alhān fī ‘ilm ta’līf al-awzān [The adorning of melodies in the composition of the measures] (MS, National Library, Cairo, f.j.350)
H.G. Farmer: The Sources of Arabian Music (Bearsden, 1940, 2/1965), 57
OWEN WRIGHT