American Music: A Panorama, Concise Edition - Softcover

Kingman, Daniel

3.67

6 ratings by Goodreads

9780028646145: American Music: A Panorama, Concise Edition

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0028646142 ISBN 13: 9780028646145

Publisher: Schirmer, 1998

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This is an inviting and succinct guide to our nation's musical culture. Kingman's view of American music as a number of distinct parallel streams is reflected in this text and includes the following: folk and ethnic music; popular sacred music; the southern music of country, blues, and rock; popular secular music; jazz; and classical music. Contrasting these across regions and times, he delivers a clear vision of the historical roles of music and composers in American culture.

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About the Author:

Daniel Kingman is an American composer and Professor Emeritus, California State University, Sacramento.

Review:

"Kingman's AMERICAN MUSIC serves my needs on several points . . . The non-chronological approach is what initially attracted me . . . it has specific chapters that deal directly with genres or traditions and allow me to select readings as I cover materials. . . . The five chapters on the American fine art tradition read as a coherent whole and provide a good overview of 19th- and 20th-century serious music in America."

"The writing style is friendly, engaging . . . . Because of its tone, coverage, and CDs, I would use this text again - absolutely."

"Carefully researched and freshly considered . . . the coverage is good. Kingman presents a vast spectrum of American music, but not so much as to dilute the book. His chapters provide depth, but not excessive depth (with) several excellent chapters. I was especially pleased with the chapter on country music and . . . parts dealing with the 19th century. I like how (Kingman) keeps in mind the actual performance setting - who the audience was for a particular kind of music - and doesn't just consider the music as an absolute in isolation from social factors."

"I selected this text over several others on the market because it offers a detailed cultural approach to the study of American music and downplays the standard music appreciation approach. I also enjoy the fact that the material is organized by musical culture or style rather than strictly chronologically. This gives me the chance to play contemporary examples for the class early in the semester and throughout the remainder of the course, which keeps the material from seeming too distant from students own experience."

"Couldn't do without the CDs! It's very helpful to have such a diverse collection of examples already available."

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