Sweet Torment over Four Centuries

By: Andrew Dell’Antonio (The University of Texas at Austin) // In 1623 Carlo Milanuzzi, a Venetian musician, released a “greatest hits” songbook—or at least a book of songs he hoped would be recognized as popular, since this was long before broadcasters established Top 10 lists. A highlight of the collection was a tune attributed to …

Authenticity and Interpretation

By: Andrew Dell’Antonio (The University of Texas at Austin) // Humans are often fascinated by the origins of their traditions. If only we could travel back in time, we might reach an “authentic” instance of a tradition, before it was “corrupted” by outside influences. Fans of American “roots music,” for instance, praise it as an …