Music of the First World War: (American History through Music)

This book discusses WWI-era music in a historical context, explaining music's importance at home and abroad during WWI as well as examining what music was being sung, played, and danced to during the years prior to America's involvement in the Great War. Why was music so important to soldiers abroad during World War I? What role did music—ranging from classical to theater music, rags, and early jazz—play on the American homefront? Music of the First World War explores the tremendous importance of music during the years of the Great War—when communication technologies were extremely limited and music often took the place of connecting directly with loved ones or reminiscing via recorded images. The book's chapters cover music's contribution to the war effort; the variety of war-related songs, popular hits, and top recording artists of the war years; the music of Broadway shows and other theater productions; and important composers and lyricists. The author also explores the development of the fledgling recording industry at this time.

Table of Contents:
Alphabetical List of Songs Chronological List of Songs 1: Introduction Setting the Scene Overview of the Sheet Music and Record Business Determining the Most Popular Songs Basic Construction of a Popular Song 2: Music's Contribution to the War Effort Introduction Male Bonding by Singing during the War The Christmas Truce of 1914 Britain's Contribution America's Contribution France's Contribution Other Contributions 3: Popular Hits of the War Years Love Songs Songs about Places Songs about Hawaii Songs about the South City Songs Nostalgia Songs Irving Berlin Songs Songs about Home and Family Mother Songs Songs about the Irish Dance Songs >Automobile Songs Novelty Songs Songs about Common Expressions Early Country Influence Songs That Don't Fit Another Category 4: Stage Music during the War Years The British Music Hall 1916 London Revue Vaudeville Revues Irving Berlin Revues Ziegfeld's Follies and Other Productions The Passing Show Series Hippodrome Extravaganza Operettas Victor Herbert Operettas Rudolf Friml's Firefly German Operetta Hit Song Sigmund Romberg's First Hit Song Musicals The Princess Theatre Shows Al Jolson's Shows Other Well-Known Songs from Musicals of the Era Cole Porter's Flop Irving Berlin's Wartime Production 5: Blues and Rags during World War I Blues Titular Blues Rags Introduction Classic Rags Titular Rags 6: Jazz during World War I 7: Classical Music during World War I What Is Classical Music? Classical Music's Longevity Scott Joplin's Treemonisha Charles Ives How Did WWI Affect Composers? Impressionism's Influence on Ragtime and Jazz and Vice Versa Other Well-Known Composers of the War Years Violin Prodigy Semi-classical Songs That Were Popular Appendix A: Most Successful Composers and Lyricists of the WWI Era Appendix B: Top Recording Artists of the WWI Era Notes Suggested Readings and Films Selected Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Don Tyler is a retired music professor from the College of Central Florida in Ocala, FL.

Review :
This is a rich resource for specialized music and American-history collections. The short descriptions, links to online resources, and citation data for sheet music provide a needed starting point. Recommended for music, college, and public libraries celebrating the First World War Centenary.