Same as in the larger library version of The
Origin
of Music described below,
except there is far less detail regarding the number of examples, confirmation
quotations from history, archaeology, anthropology, polemics, and discussion
and review of older or contradictory viewpoints. Also, detail about a large
number of various ancient, historic and national musical scales and analysis
of historical methods of tunings is also reduced. However, the broad fundamental
concepts, explanations and conclusions, along with a modest number of examples,
is retained.
Despite the scholarly nature of the subject, book requires
virtually no previous musical knowledge. (See on-line summary
of natural influences bringing do re mi scale into existence.)
Ltd edition (100 copies). 6 x 9. Hand-tooled gold & black
hardcover
292 pp., illus., index, with updates and
appendices.
$95.oo U.S. postpaid (Public or
University
Libraries only)
To our knowledge, the only full-length work
on
the subject (prior to 2000).
(For publicly available
book,
see Origin of Music--an Essay,above.
-------
CONTENTS -------
As the title indicates, the evidence is reviewed to
re-construct
the processes that brought music into existence. What is unique is the
interdisiplinary approach. Evidence used is garnered from a large variety
of subjects: Archeology, biology, psychology, anthropology, ethno-musicology,
physics, acoustics, physiology, as well as history and from social processes
outside the arts (such as religion and economics). This both frees the
subject from a narrow approach, and also, as a seeming contradiction, delimits
the choices for drawing conclusions from the broad mass of evidence. As
any conclusions must also square with established facts and findings in
all the other disciplines, the possible conclusions are narrowed down and
gain confirmation.
Actually, it is like an exciting detective mystery: The
clues are the evidence, and the gaps and contradictions of views and facts
are the alibis that must be checked with other sources outside the musicology
field. In this inter-active manner, the pieces fall together and outline
or "play back" the tune we wish to hear about how music began.
But unlike a mystery thriller, this story is authored by no mere mortal,
who is subject to the temptations of using literary conveniences, able
to overlook the odd piece that doesn't "fit," hoping the reader
won't notice. This story is authored by reality itself, and can have no
flaw in logic or detail; no literary device used to escape any puzzling
questions.
And as we play back this re-construction of the deed,
we are increasingly struck with awe at the perfect interlocking and inescapable
unity, with nary a loose end, that permeates through all of nature. And
when, after the book was written, all the new archeological finds and psychological
studies serve to confirm the thesis of the book, we are amazed at how increasingly
relevant the book has become to the subject of the origin of music.
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REVIEWS
"To say we are intrigued is an
understatement."
-- T. C. Fry, president, N.Y. Musical Heritage
Society
-
"...obviously a searching
study..."
-- Henry Pleasants, author: Serious Music & All
That
Jazz; The Agony of Modern Music; and internationally reknowned
critic. London UK
-
"I certainly do like and am profiting
from
Origin."
-- Prof. Anne D. Kilmer, head of Dept. of Assyriology,
Univ. of Calif., Berkeley
and who deciphered the world's oldest song (4,000 years
old).
-
"Since it (The Origin
of Music
-- An Essay) has been added to our collection, the
book has sparked considerable interest on our patrons. Thank
you...."
-- Jean Morrow, director of Libraries,
New
England Conservatory
-
"Your book has really done it...as far as
bringing order to chaos goes. I express my appreciation for having had
the iron filings of my brain tissue aligned by your 'magnetic'
logic."
--J. A. Luedke, Jr. Mass., USA
-
"I think that this remarkable book could
become a classic if given the exposure it
deserves...."
-- Ron Brown, assist. editor, Jazz Journal, London
UK
-
"...had my interest whetted regarding
your
book (Origin of Music) as both the subject matter and...approach to it
remarkably coincide with concerns...of my
own"
-- M. Schulman, Music editor, Performing Arts in
Canada,
Toronto
-
