THE EMOTIVE POWER OF MUSIC

David Jowitt

Abstract


One thought provoked by the theme of this Conference is that, whatever the state of a country, however recessed or depressed its economy may be, its citizens always possess music as a resource: they can always listen to music, most of them will use their voices to sing it, and some of them are able to use some other instrument to perform it. Under oppressive political regimes men and women find consolation in music and the hope of recovering freedom. We lovers of music would argue that the ability to enjoy music is an essential part of being human, and we pity those who are said to be ‘tone-deaf’, unable to respond to it.  Perhaps there are more of them in the Western world than in Africa; it is doubtful whether in Nigeria there is anyone who is not affected by music.

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References


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