A Survey of the History of Music in Afghanistan:

This book focuses on history of music in Afghanistan
from Ancient time till the 21st and deals with
various sources of information. At the beginning
early evidence is found in music archaeology and
iconography. This data documents the presence of
Greek music as well as the musical instruments
attributed to local traditions. Written texts dating
from the 10th century A.D onward are important
sources for later eras. These include musical
treatises, poems, historical works, observations
from international travellers and scholars,
miniature paintings and recent scholarship and oral
history of Afghan musicians for the last two hundred
years which emphasises the role of Afghan musicians
and dancers of Indian descendant, Pasht n and Herati
musicians, earlier Central Asian tradition, the
introduction of influences from Western music and
music ensembles. This study reveals a complex
interplay of musical traditions from four sources
ancient and medieval Central Asia, indigenous
Pasht n culture, India, and recently from Western
music. The mosaic shows a
vibrant musical culture that has lasted in a healthy
condition until the last three decades.

Autorentext

Dr Ahmad Sarmast, a Research Fellow of the Monash Asia Institute and the Initiator of the Revival of Afghan Music (ROAM)project, which involes the rebuilding and promiotion of music education in post war and post Taliban Afghanistan, received his Ph.D. from Monash University of Australia and his MA from the Moscow State Conservatorium.

Klappentext

This book focuses on history of music in Afghanistan from Ancient time till the 21st and deals with various sources of information. At the beginning early evidence is found in music archaeology and iconography. This data documents the presence of Greek music as well as the musical instruments attributed to local traditions. Written texts dating from the 10th century A.D onward are important sources for later eras. These include musical treatises, poems, historical works, observations from international travellers and scholars, miniature paintings and recent scholarship and oral history of Afghan musicians for the last two hundred years which emphasises the role of Afghan musicians and dancers of Indian descendant, Pashtun and Herati musicians, earlier Central Asian tradition, the introduction of influences from Western music and music ensembles. This study reveals a complex interplay of musical traditions from four sources-ancient and medieval Central Asia, indigenous Pashtun culture, India, and recently from Western music. The mosaic shows a vibrant musical culture that has lasted in a healthy condition until the last three decades.