Resounding Taiwan: Musical Reverberations Across a Vibrant Island

This book explores how music shapes Taiwanese society, covering topics such as colonial rule, Indigenous music, popular music, religious music, ritual music, and garbage truck music. It offers diverse approaches and appeals to students and scholars of musicology, ethnomusicology, anthropology, and Asian studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book vividly showcases the profound insights that the study of music offers into the intricate forces that shape Taiwanese society, encompassing a wide range of aspects from politics and policy to public reactions and assertions about these policies. Contributors to this edited volume delve into the intricate interplay between music and life in Taiwan, exploring themes such as the musical experiences during the Japanese colonial rule (1895–1945), the contemporary creations of Indigenous musicians, the vibrant world of popular music performance and production, the profound impact of Christian religious music, the rich traditions of traditional ritual music and theatre, the complex perceptions of sound and noise, and the innovative role of garbage truck music in reducing household waste.

Twelve chapters in this comprehensive volume present diverse approaches to their respective sounding subjects, drawing upon a rich tapestry of methods and concerns that were initially explored by Taiwan's pioneering ethnomusicologists. While some chapters remain deeply rooted in the traditions established by the first generation of scholars, others embrace contemporary social theories to shed light on the evolving dynamics of Taiwanese society.

By offering a captivating window into the cultural lives of the residents of this diverse and politically contested island, Resounding Taiwan appeals to students and scholars of musicology, ethnomusicology, anthropology, and Asian studies alike. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the multifaceted ways in which music shapes and reflects the social, cultural, and political landscapes of Taiwan.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 153 x 233 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367529420