Oscar ComettantOscar Comettant (1819-1898) was a French composer, music critic, and writer known for his explorations of music from around the world. Comettant trained as a musician in Paris and developed a wide-ranging interest in various cultures, which greatly ifluenced his work and thinking. As a composer, he wrote operas, symphonies, songs, and chamber music, but he gained more recognition as a music critic and travel writer. His insightful critiques appeared in prominent French publications, where he advocated for innovative and international perspectives in music. Comettant's extensive travels through North and South America, Asia, and Oceania fueled his curiosity, leading to several notable works on the music of indigenous cultures and non-Western traditions. His book La Musique, les Musiciens et les Instruments de Musique chez les différents peuples du monde (1869) was one of the first ethnomusicological studies in France, marking him as a pioneer in the field. Read More Read Less