Focus: The Sounds of Islam

Reviewer 1:

The title of the proposed volume, The Sounds of Islam: Performance, Ritual, Text, Music, portends of a book that is badly needed to both fill a gap in a literature that is mined continuously by researchers and students interested in the in Islamic ritual and in the music of Islamicate communities throughout the world. The terminology chosen in the title reflects the broad readership that will find this text compelling. Those interested in music and sonic performance – from collective chant to radio broadcasts – will respond to the way in which this book is framed and will be keenly interested in the author’s critique of the terms "Muslim music," "music of the Mulsim world." Those who specialize in religion will benefit from the plurality of cultural practices discussed by the author, Michael Frishkopf, who has vast experience in Muslim contexts in the Middle East and Africa. Frishkopf’s previous publications on ritual, text and music are testimony of his refined ability to describe and interpret action and idea in Muslim cultures and contexts....I would use this text in the course Music Cultures of the Middle East, a course that is cross-listed in Music, Anthropology, and Literary and Cultural Studies.

Reviewer 2:

To put my reaction to this proposal in a nutshell, this book is very much needed and Michael is the very guy to do it. I believe his assessment of the "competition" for this book is realistic: there are no real competitors, since pretty much all other efforts (e.g., Shiloah, Faruqi, Touma) have been more focussed on particular regions or practices...I would gladly use this in a course on the music of Turkey, and a graduate seminar on Musical practice and ideology in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.