Description
Book SynopsisExploring sacred song as an integral element of religious culture in America
Trade Review"A unique and compelling contribution to American cultural history."--
The Antioch Review"The breadth of Marini's study is staggering . . . Marini's solid contribution to the all-too-sparse number of works that recognize the rich contribution of American sacred music promises to spur a number of academic studies and thereby enrich the future of historiography and understanding of American culture."--
Journal of Southern Religion"A deeply reflective text, layered with multiple literary and musical references. . . . an excellent text for the classroom. Marini is able to draw many strands of influence together as he explains each musical tradition with ease and clarity."--
Journal of the NABPR"A wealth of information as well as readable, thought-provoking interpretations. . . . Marini has produced a volume of value for those interested in American religion and music as well as for specialists in cultural history."--
Theology Today"We owe Marini deep thanks for this unusual study. He offers compelling insights into the nature of our public religion, what moves us, how secularity and sacrality intertwine. . . . Marini's book also helps church musicians to think carefully about their powerful role in religious communities and to understand their enormous responsibility in leading those communities in song."--
Cross Accent"This book provides rich descriptions of many varieties of sacred music that have evolved in America over the last three hundred years."--
Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly“This unusually fine and important book has no parallel. I know of no other book on American religious music with as wide a sweep. As a historian of American religion, and as a student and practitioner of sacred music, Marini is simply and utterly unique.”--Harvey Cox, Thomas Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School and the author of
The Secular City and
Fire from Heaven“Enlightening, well informed, and sophisticated. I know of nothing like it.”--Richard Crawford, author of
America’s Musical Life: A HistoryTable of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments
ix Introduction: What Is Sacred Song?
1 PART 1: GREAT TRADITIONS OF AMERICAN SACRED SONG
1. Songway: Sacred-Song Traditions of Native America
17 2. Pilgrimage and Penitence: Sacred-Song Traditions of the Hispanic Southwest
39 3. Sacred Harp Singing: Continuity and Change in the American Singing-School Tradition
68 4. "Is It Going to Save Someone?": The Black Church at Song
100 5. Klezmorim and Sephardim: The Jewish Music Revival
130 PART 2: SACRED SONG AND CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN RELIGION
6. New Music of teh Spheres: From the New Age to Neo-Paganism
163 7. Contested Praise: A Tale of Two Hymnals
184 8. Mormons and Music: Maintaining and Mainstreaming Sectarian Identity
213 9. Troubadour for the Lord: Catholic Charismatics and Sacred Song
239 10. The Conservatory Tradition: Interviews with Daniel Pinkham and Neely Bruce
264 11. Gospel Music: Sacred Song and teh Marketplace
296 Conclusion: American Sacred Song and the Meaning of Religious Culture
321 Appendix: Music Examples
331 Index of Titles and First Lines
377 Index of Names and Subjects
383
