Description
Book SynopsisThe unique lives and careers of contemporary Chinese musicians
Trade Review“In a difficult field...[this] book breaks new ground by bringing us the real lives of real musicians.”--
Songlines"A magnificent contribution to English-language scholarship on the music of China. . . . The exceptional writing throughout the volume results in a collection that displays ethnographic research and writing at its best."--
The World of Music“The essays integrate the life stories of each musician into political, social, and economic developments in China. . . . Recommended.”--Choice
"Lives in Chinese Music represents a pioneering work in the field of ethnomusicology. The seven essays, highly uniform in length and very well structured, provide contrasting approaches and perspectives to the study of musical biography. The volume is certainly a valuable addition to the scholarship of Chinese music both inside and outside the Euro-American scholarship worlds."--China Review International
"Each essay in this collection makes original contributions to Chinese music scholarship, and the juxtaposition of musicians from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds provides a viable forum for future research and discussion. By privileging musicians and their works, the authors render many nameless musicians visible; more important, this book provides a much-needed and nuanced understanding of how music is produced on the ground and how attention to this kind of music production enriches Chinese music historiography."--Frederick Lau, author of
Music in China: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture"Rees has brought together a lively and engaging collection of essays that shows the breadth of music-making possibilities in China. The stimulating essays cover a very broad range of music makers, including illiterate village musicians, an ethnic minority rock star, elitist instrumentalists, and a Cantonese opera singer living in England. A truly unique and welcome approach."--Nancy Guy, author of
Peking Opera and Politics in Taiwan
