Describing and interpreting many examples of flutes as they are found in mythology, poetry, lyrics, and other narrative and literary sources from around the world, veteran ethnomusicologist Dale Olsen seeks to determine what is singularly distinct or unique about flutes, flute playing, and flute players in a global context. He shows how and why flutes are important for personal, communal, religious, spiritual, and secular expression and even, perhaps, existence. This is a book for students, scholars, and any reader interested in the cultural power of flutes.
| Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Illustrations Prelude Story One. Raman's New Flute: Vellore, India Chapter 1. Flute Types and Stereotypes Story Two. The Turtle, the Monkey, and the Jaguar: Apinayé (Gê) culture, Brazil Chapter 2. The Making of World Flutes Story Three. Manwoldae Is Autumn Grass: Korean Poem from the Late Fourteenth Century Chapter 3. Flutes That Talk Story Four. Culture Heroes Discover the First Flutes: Wogeo culture, New Guinea Chapter 4. Flutes and Gender Roles Story Five. The Story of the Flutemaker: Lakota culture, United States of America Chapter 5. Flutes, Sexuality, and Love Magic Story Six. Aniz the Shepherd: Uyghur culture, China Chapter 6. Flutes and the Animal Kingdom Story Seven. The Origin of Maize: Yupa culture, Venezuela Chapter 7. Flutes and Nature Story Eight. The Fluteplayer: China Chapter 8. Flute Origin Myths and Flute-Playing Heroes Story Nine. Yoshitsune's Voyage among the Islands: Japan Chapter 9. Flutes and Protective Power Story Ten: The Rat Catcher of Korneuburg: Austria Chapter 10. Flutes and Death Story Eleven. The Pifuano Flute of the Chullachaqui Rainforest Spirits: Iquitos, Peru Chapter 11. Flutes and Unethical/Ethical Behavior Story Twelve. Song of the Flute: The First Eighteen Verses of Rumi's Masnevi: Persia (Iran) Chapter 12. Religious Status of Flutes Story Thirteen. How the Noble Fujiwara no Yasumasa Faced Down the Bandit Hakamadare Chapter 13. Socioreligious Status of Flute Musicians Story Fourteen. Hard to Fill: Ireland Chapter 14. The Aesthetics and Power of Flute Sounds, Timbres, and Sonic Textures Conclusion Notes References Index of Stories Index | "Olsen commands a thorough knowledge of his subject matter...This book will be a valuable addition to the institutions of learning as well as to all who love music and folklore... It offers an opportunity to discover how the cultures of the world have cherished the magical process we practice and love—the direct transformation of our breath into music—and incorporated it into their views of the world."—Journal of Folklore Research"Any reader interested in world culture, music, ethnography, or ethnomusicology will enjoy Olsen's work. Recommended."—Choice
"World Flutelore breathlessly succeeds in establishing a foothold for flutes as a subject worthy of study, and inspires organological curiosity even among those uninitiated to flues and flutelore."—Journal of American Folklore
|A lifelong flutist performing...
