Prague Soundscapes is the first book focusing on music in Prague from other than musical-historical perspectives. It approaches musical events in present-day Prague from an ethno-musicological position, sometimes called musical anthropology. We take in, for instance, the Refufest festival, a punk concert at the Modrá vopice club,a performance of Dvořák’s Rusalka at the National Theatre or accompany followers of the Hare Krishna and their procession through Prague – not just to see and "hear" their music, but also to learn who makes and listens to it and why. An abundance of photographs accompany the book‘s text, helping the reader become one of the participants. Prague Soundscapes is a wonderful book whose content is presented in an original and convincing manner... I feel that this will contribute significantly to the development of a new field of musical anthropology – a field that has up to this point been the home, especially in the USA, of urban ethnomusicology. Speranţa Rădulescu, National University of Music Bucharest

The richly varied phenomenon of urban popcultures, through distinctive practices and forms, has significantly marked the life of modern city.

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Music and Culture presents key concepts in the study of music in its cultural context and provides an introduction to the discipline of ethnomusicology, its methods, concerns, and its contributions to knowledge and understanding of the world's musical cultures, styles, and practices. The diverse voices of contributors to this encyclopedia confirm ethnomusicology's fundamental ethos of inclusion and respect for diversity. Combined, the multiplicity of topics and approaches are presented in an easy-to-search A-Z format and offer a fresh perspective on the field and the subject of music in culture. Key features include: Approximately 730 signed articles, authored by prominent scholars, are arranged A-to-Z and published in a choice of print or electronic editions Pedagogical elements include Further Readings and Cross References to conclude each article and a Reader’s Guide in the front matter organizing entries by broad topical or thematic areas Back matter includes an annotated Resource Guide to further research (journals, books, and associations), an appendix listing notable archives, libraries, and museums, and a detailed Index The Index, Reader’s Guide themes, and Cross References combine for thorough search-and-browse capabilities in the electronic edition

What can music say about group specifics, especially the specifics of ethnic minorities? In this volume, the focus is on one distinctive aspect of minority culture – collective memory. This is not an imprint of the past: it arises as an image, created from the motives of the past, but shaped by the needs and interests of the present, and various actors participate in its creation. If the medium of remembrance is music – a powerful medium which, thanks to its polysemantic character, makes it possible to connect the individual and the collective, to represent communities, and to rewrite group boundaries – who are the actors and what images do they create? The book Music – Memory – Minorities: Between Archive and Activism focuses on the musical remembrance of Roma and Jews. In addition to exploring individual cases, the text presents and follows a remarkable arc that allows us to observe the role of music in the ethno-emancipatory process of minorities.

Environmental Noise and Management Selma Kurra, Istanbul Technical University and dBKES Engineering Ltd, Turkey A comprehensive overview of environmental noise pollution from the standpoint of environmental impact and control Environmental noise is studied, regulated and monitored by many governments and institutions, as well as forming the basis for a number of different occupations due to the adverse effects of noise exposure. Environmental Noise and Management provides a comprehensive overview of environmental noise pollution. The book begins by covering the fundamentals of noise and acoustics, major noise sources and prediction and evaluation techniques. Developments in noise measuring techniques, and mapping and improvement of legislation to control noise pollution are then discussed, and international regulations are presented. Technological advances and recent developments regarding strategy and action plans are also covered in depth. Key features: Summarizes the relevant international standards covering noise pollution and environmental engineering practice. Presents technological advances and recent developments regarding strategy and action plans. Covers developments in noise measuring techniques, prediction models, mapping and improvement of legislation to control noise pollution. Environmental Noise and Management is a comprehensive resource for researchers and graduate students who are involved in noise pollution from the standpoint of environmental impact and control.

In Local Fusions, author Barbara Rose Lange explores musical life in Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria between the end of the Cold War and the world financial crisis of 2008. With case studies from Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna, the book looks at the ways that artists generated social commentary and tried new ways of working together as the political and economic atmosphere shifted during this time. Drawn from a variety of sources, the case studies illustrate how young musicians redefined a Central European history of elevating the arts by fusing poetry, local folk music, and other vernacular music with jazz, Asian music, art music, and electronic dance music. Their projects rejected exclusion based on ethnic background or gender prevalent in Central Europe's present far-right political movements, and instead embraced diverse modes of expression. Through this, the musicians asserted woman power, broadened masculinities, and declared affinity with regional minorities such as the Romani people.

What does a place sound like – and how does the sound of place affect our perceptions, experiences, and memories? The Sound of a Room takes a poetic and philosophical approach to exploring these questions, providing a thoughtful investigation of the sonic aesthetics of our lived environments. Moving through a series of location-based case studies, the author uses his own field recordings as the jumping-off point to consider the underlying questions of how sonic environments interact with our ideas of self, sense of creativity, and memories. Advocating an awareness born of deep listening, this book offers practical and poetic insights for researchers, practitioners, and students of sound.