Description
Book SynopsisThe gamelan music of Central Java is one of the world's great orchestral traditions. Its rich sonic texture is not based on Western-style harmony or counterpoint, but revolves around a single melody. The nature of that melody, however, is puzzling. This book discusses the art of gamelan and the nature of musical knowledge in general.
Trade Review"The ethnomusicology community has been anticipating this book for some time, and it soars above expectations. Perlman's scope and erudition are broad; readers are offered a rich and integrated educational tour." - Michael Tenzer, author of Gamelan Gong Kebyar; "This book will provide a fresh boost to the continuing study of the history of Western music theory." - Scott Burnham, author of Beethoven Hero; "This is a major achievement. It would not be an overstatement to say that this is a truly seminal work, one which all future studies of Javanese music will have to address and cite extensively and to which all future studies of musical cognition ought to refer as well." - R. Anderson Sutton, author of Traditions of Gamelan Music in Java"
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments Conventions of Transcription and Orthography Introduction 1. Cognitive Preliminaries: The Nature of Musical Knowledge and the Processes of Creative Thinking 2. A Brief Introduction to Karawitan 3. Karawitan as a Multipart Music: The Relations between the Melodic Parts 4. The Balungan as Melodic Guide 5. Theorizing Melodic Guidance: The Social and Historical Context of Javanese Music Theory 6. Three Concepts of Unplayed Melody 7. Implicit-Melody Concepts in Perspective 8. Patterns of Conceptual Innovation in Music Theory: A Comparative Approach Conclusion Notes Glossary References Cited Index
