Music and the Celtic Otherworld: From Ireland to Iona

Be the first to write a review

Overview

Covering themes close to Scottish and Irish folklore, this book explores the universal concept of the spiritual dimension of music from the viewpoint of the Celtic sources. From the descriptions of the supernatural power of the "fairy" harp in Elfland in the Scottish ballads to the sacred music of God's Heaven in the Christian Saints' Lives, the Celtic sources provide a rich and varied selection of references to music and its perceived supernatural power and influence.

Author ...

See more details below
This Hardcover is Not Available through BN.com
See All Options
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

Covering themes close to Scottish and Irish folklore, this book explores the universal concept of the spiritual dimension of music from the viewpoint of the Celtic sources. From the descriptions of the supernatural power of the "fairy" harp in Elfland in the Scottish ballads to the sacred music of God's Heaven in the Christian Saints' Lives, the Celtic sources provide a rich and varied selection of references to music and its perceived supernatural power and influence.

Author Biography: Karen Ralls-MacLeod is Lecturer in Celtic Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
The connection between music and the medieval Celtic concepts of the Otherworld is a fascinating topic that Ralls-MacLeod (Celtic and religious studies, Univ. of Edinburgh) succeeds in introducing through various source texts. However, the book's organization, including numerous headings and subheadings that often impede the flow of the text, diminishes the impact of her assertions. Based on literary descriptions containing references to music, the author's arguments concerning the Celtic Otherworld, music, and their relation to medieval Irish culture would have been more convincing if the book had begun with an in-depth description of the importance of music in various aspects of everyday life. The general reader would also benefit from a more detailed account of the sources and their provenance and by placing the main figures in historical context. Despite these limitations, this study provides a solid introduction to an interdisciplinary topic that will be of interest to scholars of Celtic culture and folklore as well as medieval Irish music. Recommended for academic libraries.--Teresa M. Neff, Boston Univ. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\
Booknews
Drawing on her classical music training, Ralls-MacLeod (Celtic and religious studies, U. of Edinburgh) reviews the literature, mostly medieval Irish, to explore the portrayal of spiritual music, whether Christian or from older traditions. Performers, instruments, effects, places, and times attract her notice. Her study is based on a Ph.D. dissertation for the University of Edinburgh. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
University of St Andrews
A fascinating study of an important and neglected theme in Celtic literature and religion. Meticulously researched and sensitively written, it highlights the importance attached to music in both pre-Christian and early Christian Ireland and Scotland and its particular association with the otherworld.

— Ian Bradley

The Cauldron

A fascinating study which is highly recommended.

University of St Andrews - Ian Bradley

A fascinating study of an important and neglected theme in Celtic literature and religion. Meticulously researched and sensitively written, it highlights the importance attached to music in both pre-Christian and early Christian Ireland and Scotland and its particular association with the otherworld.

Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780312232412
  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
  • Publication date: 6/28/2000
  • Pages: 244
  • Product dimensions: 6.42 (w) x 9.49 (h) x 1.02 (d)

Meet the Author

Karen Ralls-MacLeod is postdoctoral fellow in the Celtic department at the University of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh University Press

Read More Show Less

Table of Contents

Special Tribute to the Late Dr. Alan Bruford
Introduction
Performers
Instruments
Effects
Places
Times
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)