Imposing Harmony is a groundbreaking analysis of the role of music and musicians in the social and political life of colonial Cuzco. Challenging musicologyrsquo;s cathedral-centered approach to the history of music in colonial Latin America; Geoffrey Baker demonstrates that rather than being dominated by the cathedral; Cuzcorsquo;s musical culture was remarkably decentralized. He shows that institutions such as parish churches and monasteries employed indigenous professional musicians; rivaling Cuzco Cathedral in the scale and frequency of the musical performances they staged.Building on recent scholarship by social historians and urban musicologists and drawing on extensive archival research; Baker highlights European music as a significant vehicle for reproducing and contesting power relations in Cuzco. He examines how Andean communities embraced European music; creating an extraordinary cultural florescence; at the same time that Spanish missionaries used the music as a mechanism of colonialization and control. Uncovering a musical life of considerable and unexpected richness throughout the diocese of Cuzco; Baker describes a musical culture sustained by both Hispanic institutional patrons and the upper strata of indigenous society. Mastery of European music enabled elite Andeans to consolidate their position within the colonial social hierarchy. Indigenous professional musicians distinguished themselves by fulfilling important functions in colonial society; acting as educators; religious leaders; and mediators between the Catholic Church and indigenous communities.
#2420300 in eBooks 2013-07-15 2013-07-15File Name: B00EHKD9W0
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This was perfect to read during our road trip from the Blue ...By BalmainKatThis was perfect to read during our road trip from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Nashville and then onto Memphis. Helens academic mind and analysis made it more than just a light read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An interesting and entertaining read. I know the author ...By Sapphire TintedAn interesting and entertaining read. I know the author couldnt visit the Grand Ole Opry because of catastrophic flooding in Nashville; but including a chapter on the Opry experience would have improved the book.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Ex-pat British woman travels across TennesseeBy Peter Durward HarrisI didnt have any particular expectations of this book; but it left me feeling that it is better for me to dream about Tennessee than to actually go there. The authors original plans were altered because of exceptional floods; but once the journey proper got underway; she and her family learned that Tennessee is not how they imagined it to be.The surprises for them started in Memphis; which contains shrines to Elvis Presley (Graceland) and Martin Luther King (National Civil Rights Museum). Th family visited both; and the author was shocked at some of what she learned. While I find some of it disturbing; I cant say that any of it comes as a complete surprise to me. As this book is really about Dolly; I wont dwell on the issues raised here.The book gets better with a visit to Loretta Lynns place about halfway between Memphis and Nashville; although I dont think that Id want to try the replca coal mine even if I were to visit. Another stop in Nashville enables the author to visit Dollys shop; Trinkets and Treasures.Finally; the family arrive in Pigeon Forge; the home of Dollywood. This is a massive theme park that Ive read bits and pieces about. Again; the author found things that she wasnt too keen on; but I suspect that I would enjoy it more than she did.If you are a Dolly Parton fan; you will probably like this. Im not sure what readers who are not Dolly fans will make of it. I am an Elvis fan too; albeit Dolly is my favorite singer. I suspect that among his fans; those who are not Dolly fans will not like this.