Music Matters discussion on "The Other Classical Musics"

[aeolium]

I was interested in the discussion on Michael Church's new book The Other Classical Musics on today's Music Matters. Robin Denselow had some concerns about the "classical" definition, and perhaps the extent to which it is possible to isolate these traditions from popular or folk traditions. I think Michael Church acknowledges the difficulties of this categorisation at the end of this article:

http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/extract-other-classical-musics

Anyway, I would very much like to read Church's book, and I only wish we would get more coverage of some of these musics on R3, in dedicated programmes.

[Bryn]

I was interested in the discussion on Michael Church's new book The Other Classical Musics on today's Music Matters. Robin Denselow had some concerns about the "classical" definition, and perhaps the extent to which it is possible to isolate these traditions from popular or folk traditions. I think Michael Church acknowledges the difficulties of this categorisation at the end of this article:

http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/extract-other-classical-musics

Anyway, I would very much like to read Church's book, and I only wish we would get more coverage of some of these musics on R3, in dedicated programmes.

I was interested enough to order it. It is available for £19.99 including p&p either direct from amazon.co.uk or from one of their marketplace vendors (who may well pay tax).

[MrGongGong]

Thanks for this
Sounds interesting

[french frank]

Aha! Haven't heard the MM, but had already received an email recommending. What with this and the long Goehr interview a fortnight ago things seem to be looking up here …

[Bryn]

Just had an email advising that my copy will be delivered to my chosen collection location tomorrow. As long as it arrives there by 13:00 I will be able to pick it up on the way to work. I doubt I will get time to read much before Tuesday morning though.

[Lat-Literal]

Interesting.

My view is that it is cultural evolution - a phrase that doesn't necessarily mean progress - which endangers world/folk traditions. I am not sure that fusion fits neatly into that category. The Maltese example in the article is a case in point. Has the ghana tradition really been harmed by hundreds of records which combine ghana with global beats and/or hip-hop? I think not given that I am not aware of any record that has been produced along those lines. No. Such traditions can be usurped by a dominant pop music culture that has no reference to them. It can also be lost in all the emphasis on a wide range of popular culture accessed via media that has no musical reference. And, of course, it can be wiped out by fanatical political groups who consider that all music is irreligious. But where there is fusion, it is more likely to lead as an add-on to renewed interest in purer roots music than to replace it. In fact, it can bring attention to traditional music that had been largely forgotten because of the various changes I have listed. As for the term "classical music", it is probably helpful for several reasons to have roots music considered in that way but I doubt that it will ever be accepted in broad culture where western classicism is distinct.

[Old Grumpy]

There is also a short feature on this topic in the December issue of BBCMM.

OG