World Musics in Context A Comprehensive Survey of the World's Major Musical Cultures

by Fletcher, Peter; Picken, Laurence

• ISBN13: 9780195175073
• ISBN10: 0195175077
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-29
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

World Musics in Context is a wide-ranging survey of musics of the world, in their historical and social contexts, from ancient times to the present day. Ethnomusicologist Peter Fletcher begins by describing aspects of musical style and function in relation to the early developments ofcivilizations. He then goes on to explore, in five parts, music of the ancient world, music of Africa and Asia, European music, North and South American traditions, and music of the modern world. A compendium of information as well as an examination of musical causation and function, this book givesa deeper understanding of the various musical traditions that contribute to the modern, multicultural environment.

Author Biography

The late Peter Fletcher held posts of Professor and Head of Music at Dalhousie University, Canada, Principal of the Welsh College of Music and Drama, and conducted numerous orchestras and choirs. During the last years of his life, he traveled widely throughout the Americas, Asia, and Africa, lecturing widely in colleges and conducting orchestras

Table of Contents

List of Plates	p. xi
List of Maps	p. xvi
Foreword	p. 1
Introduction	p. 31
Genesis	p. 47
Elemental Features of Music	p. 49
Aspects of Civilization	p. 64
Early Oligarchies in Mesopotamia and Egypt	p. 77
Diverging Traditions 1: South and Central Asia	p. 94
Diverging Traditions 2: Europe	p. 118
Traditional Musics of Africa and Asia	p. 143
Africa	p. 145
West Asia	p. 185
The Indian Subcontinent	p. 225
South East Asia	p. 267
East Asia	p. 323
Europe	p. 409
New Horizons	p. 411
Enlightenment	p. 439
Disintegration	p. 456
The New World	p. 481
Cultural Mix in Latin America	p. 483
Europeans North of Mexico	p. 533
Africans North of Mexico	p. 563
The Modern World	p. 597
Tradition and Change	p. 599
Westernization and National Musical Identity in Africa and Asia	p. 616
The Postmodern West	p. 671
Bibliography	p. 696
Credits for Illustrations	p. 717
Index	p. 719
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