Blurb:

A brief Preface explains the concept (and title) of the book and how it differs from existing books on “world music” by (1) encompassing all major categories of music, including Western classical and popular, and (2) following a continuous narrative approach, with an emphasis on explaining how the musical world came to be as it is through cross-cultural connections and interactions, rather than just giving information on separate “music cultures.” Other introductory discussion is kept to a minimum so that we can embark on the main “story” without delay.