Curiosities of Music: A Collection of Facts not generally known, regarding the Music of Ancient and Savage Nations

A wide-ranging survey traces musical practices, instruments, theory, and associated myths across ancient and non-Western societies, and follows developments into medieval and modern European forms. Chapters examine Hindu musical cosmology and scale theory; Egyptian, Hebrew, Greek, and Roman ritual, theatrical, and social music; Chinese and Japanese instruments, compositions, and ceremonies. The book also treats early Christian liturgies, chant traditions, the medieval bards, troubadours, and curiosities of opera and modern composers. Emphasis lies on descriptive facts, instrument types, performance contexts, and folklore that illuminate how diverse cultures conceived and used music.