Description
CHOIRS AND CHORAL SOCIETIES IN THE CONCA DE BARBERÀ (CA. 1860-1978)
Book Summary
A comprehensive study on the choral movement in the Conca de Barberà region, from its first documented manifestations in the mid-19th century until 1978. The author, Núria Medrano i Torres, analyzes how choirs, orfeons, and choral societies have been a reflection of the social and political context of each era. Drawing on historical documentation, photographs, and testimonials, the work reconstructs the evolution of these groups, offering a detailed vision of their role in the cultural and social construction of the region. An essential book for understanding local history through music.
What is it about?
The book focuses on describing, analyzing, and interpreting the choral groups of the Conca de Barberà. The research begins with the first documented reports, around 1860, and extends to 1978, covering a period of over a century. The work stems from the author's previous research on instrumental groups, which revealed a wealth of information about choral activity. Through documentary sources, period photographs, and the memories of numerous individuals, the history of these groups is reconstructed, contextualizing their activity within the social and political framework that saw them emerge and evolve. The book demonstrates that choral music is not an isolated phenomenon, but a fundamental element for understanding the culture and society of the region.
Main topics
- History of the choral movement in the Conca de Barberà.
- Analysis of the evolution of choirs, orfeons, and choral societies.
- Social and political contextualization of musical groups.
- Local history and popular culture through music.
- Musicological research based on documentation and testimonies.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at historians, musicologists, students of local history and the associative movement, as well as anyone interested in popular culture and choral music in Catalonia. It will also be of great interest to the inhabitants of the Conca de Barberà and neighboring regions who wish to learn about the musical heritage of their territory, as well as members of choirs and cultural entities who wish to delve into the roots of their activity.
What this book contributes
- A detailed and original study on a little-explored aspect of the musical history of the Conca de Barberà.
- An integrative view of choral music as a reflection of the social and political changes of more than a century.
- Valuable documentation, including historical photographs and testimonies, which enrich the understanding of the past.
- A solid foundation for future research on the choral movement in other regions.
Technical specifications
- Author: MEDRANO I TORRES, NURIA
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: cat
- Subject: CHORAL MUSIC, HISTORY, LOCAL HISTORY
- Collection: EL TINTER
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: January 2023
- Number of pages: 256
- Weight: 369 g
Editorial review
A rigorous piece of research that fills a void in local musical historiography. Núria Medrano's approach, which connects choral activity with its historical context, adds value to the study. The combination of documentary sources and oral memory offers a rich and nuanced perspective. Recommended for specialists and any reader interested in how music has woven the social fabric of a region over time.