Description
Book SynopsisThis book introduces us to the world of contemporary Japanese music and it guides us towards a better understanding of their world.Luciano Berio Yogaku discusses over a century of musical activity in Japan, detailing, in particular, the music that was inspired by Western music after the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century, and its development through the end of the 20th century. The book not only examines the infiltration of Western music into Japan, but also provides insight into the aesthetic and theoretical aspects of Japanese musical thought. The word yogaku (Western music) is made up of two characters:yo, which means ocean (that is, over the ocean, meaning Western or foreign) andgaku, which means music. Divided into two parts, the text covers the period preceding World War I as well as the post-war period. The introduction provides a history of music''s role in Japanese society, touching upon the differences in the functions of Japanese and Western music. Part One describes the complex process of a new musical world and the European musical ideas that penetrated Japan. Modernization through westernization is explored; the author details the differences between the traditional Japanese music and that composed under Western influence, as well as the French and German impact on Japanese musical compositions. Galliano looks at the appearance of music in schools and the first Japanese musical compositions, as well as nationalism''s effect on music through propaganda and censorship. Part Two explores topics such as the post-war avant-garde, the 1960s boom in traditional music, and the closing decades of the 20th century. The next generation of Japanese composers are also considered. Japanese history and music scholars, as well as those interested in Japanese music, will want to include Yogaku in their collection.
Trade ReviewGalliano does indeed succeed in combining stylistic analysis of music with aesthetic reflections and she effectively places musical developments within the broader sociocultural context. It is my hope that Galliano's superb study will help to bring serious attention to the wealth of creativity in contemporary Japanese music. * The Journal of Japanese Studies *
This meeting of two musical cultures is interestingly and thoughtfully described...undoubtedly a fine introduction to contemporary Japanese music and provides many insights into the aesthetic and theoretical aspects of Japanese musical thought. * Music Teacher *
Table of ContentsPart 1 Foreword to the Italian Edition Part 2 Foreword to the English Edition Part 3 Acknowledgments Part 4 Note on the Transliteration of Japanese Terms and Names Part 5 Part I: Introduction: Traditional Japanese Cultural Values and Japan's Transition into the Twentieth Century Part 6 1 The Introduction of Western Music Part 7 2 The Evolution of a Western-Style Musical Language in the First Half of the Twentieth Century Part 8 3 A New Musical World Part 9 4 Nationalism and Music Part 10 Part II: 5 The Cultural and Social Situation in the Postwar Period Part 11 6 The Postwar Avant-Garde Part 12 7 The 1960s Part 13 8 The Closing Decades of the Twentieth Century Part 14 Appendix A: List of Japanese Names Part 15 Appendix B: List of Aesthetic and Musical Terms Part 16 Bibliography Part 17 Index Part 18 About the Author
