Music and Revolution: Cultural Change in Socialist Cuba (Music of the African Diaspora)

Music of the African Diaspora

by Robin D. Moore

Music and Revolution provides a dynamic introduction to the most prominent artists and musical styles that have emerged in Cuba since 1959 and to the policies that have shaped artistic life. Robin D. Moore gives readers a chronological overview of the first decades after the Cuban Revolution, documenting the many ways performance has changed and emphasizing the close links between political and cultural activity. Offering a wealth of fascinating details about music and the milieu that engendered it, the author traces the development of dance styles, nueva trova, folkloric drumming, religious traditions, and other forms. He describes how the fall of the Soviet Union has affected Cuba in material, ideological, and musical terms and considers the effect of tense international relations on culture. Most importantly, Music and Revolution chronicles how the arts have become a point of negotiation between individuals, with their unique backgrounds and interests, and official organizations. It uses music to explore how Cubans have responded to the priorities of the revolution and have created spaces for their individual concerns.

Center for Black Music Research

Genres: History, Music

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Tekla]

Academic and well-researched. As well as giving an overview of many Cuban music styles this book details various policies of the Cuban government regarding the arts and music, how these policies have changed over the years and thoughtful discussion of the plusses and minuses of making music under socialism vs capitalism. The author had interviews with lots of interesting Cuban musicians and historians.

[Vikki Araiza]

I need to see a change in our society the media has blocked so many avenues, but music is one way to send a message to many. I am looking forward to reading this book.

[Daniel Ares]

Essential and pleasurable reading about this topic.

[Kiki Unhinged]

Fascinating insight on Cuba's socialist experiment and the United States' role in that. A helpful study of Cuban culture and the conflict between the revolutionaries and the middle-upper class.

[K.]

Fascinating insight on Cuba's socialist experiment and the United States' role in that. A helpful study of Cuban culture and the conflict between the revolutionaries and the middle-upper class.