Music and Musicians in the Medieval Islamicate World - A Social History

In the early medieval Islamic world (800-1300 CE), discourses concerned with music and musicians were wide-ranging and contentious, and expressed in works on music theory and philosophy as well as literature and poetry. But in spite of attempts by influential scholars and political leaders to limit or control musical expression in this way, it permeated all layers of the social structure. Lisa Nielson here presents a rich social and cultural history of music, musicianship and the role of musicians in the early Islamic world. Focusing primarily on Damascus, Baghdad and Jerusalem, Lisa Nielson draws on a wide variety of textual sources written for or about musicians and their professional/private environments - including chronicles, literary sources, memoirs and musical treatises - as well as the disciplinary approaches of musicology to offer insights into musical performances and the lives of musicians. In the process, the book sheds light onto the dynamics of medieval Islamic courts, as well as slavery, gender, status and identity in courtly life. It will appeal to scholars of the Islamic world and historical musicologists.>

Product details

• Authors: Lisa Nielson, Nielson Lisa
• Publisher: Tauris, I.B.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.12.2018
• EAN: 9781784539542
• ISBN: 978-1-78453-954-2
• No. of pages: 296
• Dimensions: 164 mm x 238 mm x 24 mm
• Series: Early and Medieval Islamic World; Early and Medieval Islamic World
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; HISTORY / Middle East / General, Social & cultural history, MUSIC / Philosophy & Social Aspects, c 1000 CE to c 1500, Theory of music & musicology, Middle Eastern history, Islamic countries, Islamic Life & Practice, Relating to Islamic / Muslim people and groups, Art music, orchestral and formal music, Social groups: religious groups and communities