New Nonfiction Book Explores Musicology of Biblical Traditions

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John A. Allegro Examines Past and Present Manifestations of Musical Influence on Politics, Culture

Miami, FL, May 28, 2009 — Music, quite literally, plays on and reflects back to the politics and key social issues of any particular period in time. Modern musicologists emphasize the connection between music, politics and history and how cultural evolution can be traced through a parallel evolution of musical styles. In his publishing debut, “A Music Manifesto” (published by AuthorHouse), John A. Allegro offers a unique account of musical history as it pertains to biblical tradition, starting from the Psalms and working towards a discussion of modern Zionism and the conflict between Palestine and Israel.

Part informal conversation between a professor and his students and part comprehensive examination of musicology throughout biblical history, “A Music Manifesto” offers readers an accessible guide into a seldom-discussed topic, linking the distant past with current affairs in politics and cultural studies. Allegro begins by re-describing the musical events and celebrations from the Psalms, including the multitude of references to musical terminology, instrumentation and musical composition, before turning to examine the authenticity of the period of David and Solomon’s reigns and the first temple building.

Allegro’s discussions of Zionism with his students tie together the political aspects of formerly religious musical celebrations and how these were transformed in Judaic tradition. “Conversations about Zionism explain how social and political panoramas modified ideas about the true essence of the musical celebration and glorious past,” writes Allegro. “This non-musical political movement was manifested in 1948 to 1967 and up to now.”

In addition to informal discussion, Allegro brings together academic studies and philosophical ideas about the origins of the Palestinian and Israeli political affair and how it relates to issues of humanity, Zionism, Christianity and contemporary social movements. Lastly, Allegro explores the current manifestations of Psalm musical tradition in reggae and dub musical styles.

Well-researched and thought-provoking, “A Music Manifesto” has the ability to bring readers back to the classroom, generating a contagious enthusiasm for scholarly study of musicology, politics, world culture and religion.

John A. Allegro was born in Granada, Nicaragua, and currently resides in Miami. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his master’s degree from Temple University, and now works as a Miami Dade College adjunct history professor. Allegro attended the Ethiopian Timkat ceremony in Axum in January 2001. For more information, please visit: http://myspace.com/johnaallegro.

AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.

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