Music of the Common Tongue: Survival and Celebration in Afro-American Music (Calderbooks): No. 451 (Calderbooks S.) - Softcover

Small, Christopher

4.25

24 ratings by Goodreads

9780714540962: Music of the Common Tongue: Survival and Celebration in Afro-American Music (Calderbooks): No. 451 (Calderbooks S.)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 071454096X ISBN 13: 9780714540962

Publisher: Calder Publications Ltd, 1994

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The author describes `Music of the Common Tongue' as a celebration of that form of music making which came into existence as a result of the enslavement of millions of Africans in the Americas. The author outlines the history of the encounter between the two great musical traditions of Africa and Europe, showing how musicians of African descent have, over nearly five centuries, made themselves at the home in the European tradition, and have taken from it what they needed to serve their search for an identity and a community that they could call their own. In return musicians of European descent have found in this music of African origin and its musicians, models and identities they needed. He goes further, to show how, in contrast to the now degenerate European classical tradition, Afro-American music can become for all people a tool for the exploration, affirmation and celebration of identity, and a weapon or resistance against the increasingly oppressive power of the modern industrial world. Afro-American music, the author says, is about survival, and may well be greatly needed to that end in the years to come; this book is unique in offering to non-specialist readers a social, historical and aesthetic framework in which to place their experience of that music.

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Review:

`Christopher Small has written a magnificent book about Afro-American music and its impact on western culture. He totally fulfills his aim of showing that black American music has become of far greater human significance than any superficial assessment of classically-oriented evaluation would allow.' -- Race and Class

`I believe that this book is essential for anyone interested in obtaining another perspective on the aesthetic of Afro-American music and how it relates to culture.' -- The Black Perspective in Music

`... convincing and well argued.' -- Catholic Herald

About the Author:

Christopher Small was born in New Zealand in 1927 where he took
degrees in science and music. He has taught at institutions of higher
learning in his native country and in London, has written written widely
for musical journals and has broadcast and lectured in the United States,
the antipodes and the United Kingdom.

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