Harp Studies II: World Harp Traditions

Harp Studies II: World Harp Traditions situates harping activity as a vital aspect of music making in traditions around the world. Containing essays on harping in Ireland, Europe, Africa and Asia this volume chronicles harp practices across diverse geographical areas. The broad scope of this book illuminates the imaginative and myriad ways that music is experienced around the world, highlighting cultural convergences across global boundaries. The harp as sound, image and artefact is explored as reflecting, challenging and broadening its diverse cultural contexts. Each essay takes the harp as its central focus, presenting new insights into artistic practices, organology, history and culture to create multi-locale and intersectional approaches to harp research. Drawing on approaches including ethnomusicology, musical ethnography, musicology and organology studies the essays in this volume contribute to musical studies across disciplinary boundaries. The many ways that music is an essential component of societies, cultures, politics and human expression emerges as a fascinating interpretation of the extraordinary importance of music and musical instruments across the world.