In Transmusicality, Mastering a Music from Another Culture (Croatian Musicological Society, 2022), Bruno Deschênes, a Canadian musician, composer and master Japanese shakuhachi player, takes a personal, anthropological, ethnomusicological, philosophical and critical look at what it means to be a world musician. In particular, to master, if at all possible, a music from a culture in which one is not born. He calls this process transmusicality, by which a musician crosses over from one’s native musical boundaries to play the music of another culture. To give a voice to these musicians, he interviewed seven artists from different musical backgrounds, to get their personal perspectives on transmusicality and world music.
This eloquent and revelatory work captivates readers right from the outset, addressing some of the most contentious issues surrounding the world music sphere. Discussions encompass topics such as identity, authenticity, hybridity, bimusicality, orientalism, exoticism, and the complex and controversial notion of cultural appropriation. Notably, the book goes beyond the theoretical and academic discourse, delving into the individual stories of musicians. It explores the motivations behind their pursuit of world music, as well as the intricacies involved in such a personal venture.
Transmusicality, Mastering a Music from Another Culture, unveils a fresh perspective on the experiences of musicians navigating diverse musical cultures, enriching the discourse on a multifaceted and often overlooked aspect of the world music landscape.
More about Bruno Deschênes: Sense of Place in World Music: Reflexions of a Non-Japanese Shakuhachi Player.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.