Selected texts and pre-modern notations are studied to illustrate historical developments. The survey of modern traditions is set in social context, so that questions of patronage, the role of Islam and the status of the performer are considered in addtion to a comparative study of aspects of modal, rhythmic and formal structures. A survey, to gain familiarity, of the historical development of music in the area, with aspects of the various traditions current in the 20th century. A survey of the major musical cultures of continental and insular South East Asia. The course is weighted towards the various court-music traditions but also covers the musics of the villages and regional minorities.
Countries covered include Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, Taiwan and others.
This course focusses on the music of the Mande peoples of West Africa, and its cultural context. The Mande cover a number of linguistically and culturally related groups but special attention is paid in this course to the Maninka in Guinea and Mali, and the Mandinka in Gambia, Senegal, and the Guinea Bissau. Postgraduate Prospectus - Music Dept.