Music is at the heart of the world's cultural
heritage, and from the beginning has played an essential
role in Christianity, with many of the greatest
composers creating sacred music of all kinds. Tim Dowley
traces the story of Christian music from the earliest
Jewish traditions through the Renaissance and
Reformation to the present day, discussing both the
various liturgical traditions and non-liturgical sacred
music. Dr Dowley also covers the fascinating history of
hymns and sacred songs, and Christian expressions in
modern jazz, folk, rock, and pop idioms. This
comprehensive volume ranges widely, with specialist
features on Christian music worldwide, and a focus on
such varied topics as Christmas carols, the music of
Handel and Bach, spirituals and the blues, medieval
polyphony, Hildegard of Bingen, and Contemporary
Christian Music. Dowley considers key questions, such
as: What is Christian music? Is it solely music used in
Christian worship? Or music with spirituality, with the
power to move people? And what is the role of the Bible
in all this?Richly illustrated with almost two hundred
photographs and pictures, Christian Music: A Global
History is a book for anyone who is moved, inspired, or
intrigued by any kind of music from the Christian
tradition. Key features include: * Comprehensive
coverage of the history of worship music, from ancient
times to the present day * In-depth articles on key
themes and individuals * Provides historical,
theological, and liturgical contexts for Christian music
* Includes specialist articles written by international
experts * Covers both Western and non-Western musical
traditions * Richly illustrated throughout |
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