Christian Music: A Global History - Hardcover

Tim Dowley

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0745953247 ISBN 13: 9780745953243

Publisher: Lion Books, 2011

Synopsis

Music is at the heart of the world's cultural heritage, and from the beginning has played an essential role in Christianity, with many of the greatest composers creating sacred music of all kinds. In Christian Music: A Global History, Tim Dowley traces the story of Christian music from the earliest Jewish traditions through the Renaissance and Reformation to the present day, discussing both the various liturgical traditions and non-liturgical sacred music. Dr Dowley also covers the fascinating history of hymns and sacred songs, and Christian expressions in modern jazz, folk, rock, and pop idioms. This comprehensive volume ranges widely, with specialist features on Christian music worldwide, and a focus on such varied topics as Christmas carols, the music of Handel and Bach, spirituals and the blues, medieval polyphony, Hildegard of Bingen, and Contemporary Christian Music. The book also considers key questions, such as: What is Christian music? Is it solely music used in Christian worship? Or music with spirituality, with the power to move people? And what is the role of the Bible in all this? Richly illustrated with almost two hundred photographs and pictures, Christian Music: A Global History is a book for anyone who is moved, inspired, or intrigued by any kind of music from the Christian tradition. Key features include: Comprehensive coverage of the history of worship music, from ancient times to the present day In-depth articles on key themes and individuals Provides historical, theological, and liturgical contexts for Christian music Includes specialist articles written by international experts Covers both Western and non-Western musical traditions Richly illustrated throughout

About this title

Review:

A friendly, attractive, and enormously enjoyable guide through a fascinating world, revealing the beauty of Christian music. --Simon Russell Beale, CBE

Ranging across the centuries and around the globe, Tim Dowley and his collaborators tell the story of Christian music simply and clearly in an interesting mix of broad coverage and intriguing detail. Impressive in its scope and gorgeously illustrated, Christian Music will provide instruction and delight to a wide range of readers. --Calvin Stapert, Professor of Music, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, USA

About the Author:

Dr Tim Dowley, historian and author, has also written popular biographies of J. S. Bach and Robert Schumann and books on the history of Christianity, co-authored a study of Bob Dylan, and edited a celebration of Songs of Praise. He lives with his wife and children in Dulwich, South London, and knows much of the concert-hall Christian repertoire as a former member of the London Orpheus Choir.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lion Books
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0745953247
• ISBN 13: 9780745953243
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 264