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Ancient Greek music

Ancient Greece was permeated by music, and the literature teems with musical allusions. For most readers the subject has remained a closed book. Here at last is a clear, comprehensive account that presupposes no special knowledge of music. Topics covered include the place of music in Greek life; instruments; rhythm; tempo; modes and scales; melodic construction; form; ancient theory and notation; and historical development. Thirty surviving examples of Greek music are presented in modern transcription with analysis, and the book is fully illustrated. A brief Epilogue sets Greek music in the wider context in a border zone between Afro-Asiatic and European culture.

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Ancient Greek music

Ancient Greece was permeated by music, and the literature teems with musical allusions. For most readers the subject has remained a closed book. This work sees to serve as a clear and comprehensive account that presupposes no special knowledge of music. Topics covered include the place of music in Greek life; instruments; rhythm; tempo; modes and scales; melodic construction; form; ancient theory and notation; historical development. 30 survivng examples of Greek music are presented in modern transcription with analysis, and the book is fully illustrated. Besides being considered on its own terms, Greek music is here further illuminated by being seen in ethnological perspective, and a brief epilogue sets it in its place in a border zone between Afro-Asiatic and European culture. The book should be of value both to classicists and historians of music.Ancient Greece was permeated by music, and the literature teems with musical allusions. For most readers the subject has remained a closed book. Here at last is a clear, comprehensive account that presupposes no special knowledge of music. Topics covered include the place of music in Greek life; instruments; rhythm; tempo; modes and scales; melodic construction; form; ancient theory and notation; and historical development. Thirty surviving examples of Greek music are presented in modern transcription with analysis, and the book is fully illustrated. A brief Epilogue sets Greek music in the wider context in a border zone between Afro-Asiatic and European culture.