Mark Slobin is a distinguished scholar whose work delves into the rich tapestry of global music traditions. His research spans diverse areas, including the music of Central Asia, Eastern European Jewish culture, and the global influence of film scores and folk melodies. With a unique focus on his native Detroit, he has provided a comprehensive survey of the city's multifaceted musical landscape. Slobin's writings are characterized by a deep engagement with the social and cultural contexts that shape musical expression.
Drawing on archival sources, interviews with cantors, and photographs, this title traces the development of the American cantorate from the nebulous beginnings of the hazzan as a recognizable figure through the heyday of the superstar sacred singer in the early twentieth century to a diverse portrait of cantorate, which includes women and men.
Here presented for the first time in English are Moshe Beregovski's surviving essays, plus his anthologies containing hundreds of folk songs with full Yiddish and English texts.
Focusing on the rich musical heritage of Wesleyan University, this account chronicles its evolution from the Singing College of New England to a hub of diverse musical studies. Spanning from the 1830s to the early 2000s, it incorporates campus newspaper excerpts and firsthand accounts, highlighting various musical practices and events. The book is richly illustrated and emphasizes the blend of educational innovation and cultural diversity at the university. A companion digital archive offers audio performances from various genres, enhancing the exploration of Wesleyan's musical journey.
Focusing on the Jewish folk music of Eastern Europe, this volume offers a detailed cultural record through the insights of ethnomusicologist Moshe Beregovski. It features contextual analyses of the music, essays discussing various musical influences, and comprehensive notes and lyrics for nearly 300 folk songs, providing a rich exploration of this musical heritage.
Theodore Levin, a distinguished music professor at Dartmouth College, explores the intricate connections between sound, music, and culture in his works. His notable publications include an examination of nomadic music traditions in Tuva and an insightful journey through Central Asia's musical landscape. Levin's expertise and experience as a Senior Project Consultant to the Aga Khan Music Initiative enrich his contributions to the understanding of global music traditions.
This stimulating Very Short Introduction throws open the doors on a remarkably diverse musical genre, with a world-wide reach that goes far beyond America's shores to discuss folk music of every possible kind and in every corner of the globe.