Polish Folk Music: Slavonic Heritage, Polish Tradition

Description:
This study of Polish folk music is especially enlightening as it reveals both the history and practice of a musical tradition and offers an illuminating view of a culture and its social activities. Within her study, Anna Czekanowska analyses the vocal and instrumental traditions of Polish folk music, tracing the background history, the influences of geography and politics, and the practice, often within contemporary society, of such social events as the harvest, the solstice and weddings. The function of folk culture within contemporary life, for both Polish and non-Polish inhabitants of the country, is also examined. Professor Czekanowska also discusses the birth of Polish ethno- musicology as a discipline and details some methodological aspects for research. This study contributes to a greater understanding and appreciation of Polish music and, in a wider aspect, of Slavonic culture. The book contains numerous illustrations of instruments and cultural events, music examples, maps, a discography and bibliography.

Table of Contents:
List of illustrations and maps; Preface; Part I. Introduction: 1. Basic concepts and notions; 2. Poland's diverse background; Part II. Topics and Trends: 3. The Slavonic world; 4. Polish tradition; 5. Transformation of Polish folk culture and music; Part III. Analysis and Description: 6. Vocal transmission; 7. Instrumental transmission; 8. Musical structure; Part IV. Towards a Concept of Polish Folk Music: Polish and Non-Polish Music in Poland: 9. The function of folk culture in contemporary Poland: ethnic and national identity; 10. The musical culture of non-Polish groups in modern Poland; 11. Polish folk music in the resettled areas and abroad; Discography; Bibliography; Index.