A Socio-Cultural History of the Violin in Australia

This book presents a social history of the violin in Australia from 1788 to 1914, exploring its pivotal role in colonial society and influence on local music-making and culture. It provides scholars with new insights into how musical instruments like the violin were used to navigate and express social boundaries within a colonial framework.

Autorentext

Laura Case is a lecturer in musicology at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, specialising in the social and cultural history of music in Australia. Her research focuses on the violin, cross-cultural interactions, and feminist perspectives. A Wiradjuri woman with mixed settler heritage from Central West New South Wales, Laura uses music to reframe Indigenous histories and reclaim Indigenous knowledge.

With over 20 years of experience as a violinist, Laura has both performed and taught extensively. She recently featured on Aboriginal rapper DOBBY's album Warrangu and Uncle Roger Knox's forthcoming album. Laura is also a regular member of Deborah Cheetham Fraillon's Ensemble Dutala, performing at notable venues like the City Recital Hall in Sydney and the Garma Festival of Traditional Knowledges in Northeast Arnhem Land.

Inhalt

INTRODUCTION: SETTING THE STAGE, 1. GENTEEL GENTRY - AMATEUR VIOLINISTS IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1788-1850 2. TAVERN TUNES - FIDDLERS AND DANCE MASTERS IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1788-1860 3. VIRTUOSIC VOYAGERS - PIONEERING SOLOIST VIOLINISTS IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1822-1885 4. FROM MOZART TO MINSTREL - ENSEMBLE VIOLINISTS IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1840-1890 5. CULTURAL CONTINUATION - INDIGENOUS ENCOUTERS WITH THE EUROPEAN VIOLIN 6. BREAKING BOUNDARIES - WOMEN AND THE VIOLIN IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1870-1914, CONCLUSION: THE VIOLIN'S LEGACY IN AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE