
Music
Antiquity and Its Legacy
Eleonora Rocconi(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Published on 2. November 2023
Book
Hardback
208 pages
978-1-350-19381-9 (ISBN)
Description
This book explores the pivotal role played by ancient mousike? - in all its facets - in the development of musical practices and ideas throughout history. Since antiquity, music has consistently played a significant role in social and cultural life, and although the terms in which it is expressed and the cultural meanings it conveys vary dramatically across different times and geographies, the influence of the ancient Greek concept on modern Western notions is nevertheless striking.
In a series of lucid and engaging thematic chapters, Eleonora Rocconi surveys the roles and functions of the Greek notion of music from classical antiquity, through the Renaissance and early modern eras, and up to the present day. The discussion is structured around the key concepts, theoretical models and aesthetic issues at play - from the educational and therapeutic value of music, to its place in the ideal of cosmic harmony and its relationship to the senses and emotions - as well as the function of music in debates around individual and cultural identity. What emerges is a timely reassessment of the paradigmatic value of the Greek model in the musical reception of antiquity in different historical periods. It highlights the ongoing contribution of mousike? to modern cultural debates within the realms of classics, musicology, philosophy, aesthetics, anthropology, performance and cultural studies, as well as in artistic environments. It also offers a clear and comprehensive account of its inexhaustible source of inspiration for musicians, theorists, scholars and antiquarians across the centuries.
In a series of lucid and engaging thematic chapters, Eleonora Rocconi surveys the roles and functions of the Greek notion of music from classical antiquity, through the Renaissance and early modern eras, and up to the present day. The discussion is structured around the key concepts, theoretical models and aesthetic issues at play - from the educational and therapeutic value of music, to its place in the ideal of cosmic harmony and its relationship to the senses and emotions - as well as the function of music in debates around individual and cultural identity. What emerges is a timely reassessment of the paradigmatic value of the Greek model in the musical reception of antiquity in different historical periods. It highlights the ongoing contribution of mousike? to modern cultural debates within the realms of classics, musicology, philosophy, aesthetics, anthropology, performance and cultural studies, as well as in artistic environments. It also offers a clear and comprehensive account of its inexhaustible source of inspiration for musicians, theorists, scholars and antiquarians across the centuries.
Reviews / Votes
Throughout the book, an insightful discussion of Greek aesthetic, ethical, and political ideas about music is intertwined with analyses of how these ideas resonate with key issues in modern musical discourse. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review * This small book is a remarkable synthesis of the topics [Eleonora Rocconi] has addressed in her work ... the author makes a highly specialised field of research accessible to a wide audience, particularly to teachers who wish to introduce their students to ancient Greek music and its legacy. * Journal of Classics Teaching *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
10 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
397 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-19381-9 (9781350193819)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2023
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€22.99
Available for download
Person
Eleonora Rocconi is Associate Professor of Greek Language and Literature at the University of Pavia, Italy, and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Greek and Roman Musical Studies.
Content
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
Notes on Dates and Conventions
Introduction: History of an Idea(l)
Chapter I: Key Terms and Concepts
Chapter II: Theoretical Models
Chapter III: Aesthetic Issues
Chapter IV: Occurrences and Recurrences
Chapter V: Looking Ahead
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Notes on Dates and Conventions
Introduction: History of an Idea(l)
Chapter I: Key Terms and Concepts
Chapter II: Theoretical Models
Chapter III: Aesthetic Issues
Chapter IV: Occurrences and Recurrences
Chapter V: Looking Ahead
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Bibliography
Index