Overview

George P. Knauff's Virginia Reels (1839) was the first collection of southern fiddle tunes and the only substantial one published in the nineteenth century. Knauff's activity could not anticipate our modern contest-driven fiddle subcultures. But the fate of the Virginia Reels pointed in that direction, suggesting that southern fiddling, after his time, would happen outside of commercial popular culture even though it would sporadically engage that culture. Chris Goertzen uses this seminal collection as the springboard for a fresh exploration of fiddling in America, past and present. He first discusses the life of the arranger. Then he explains how this collection was meant to fit into the broad stream of early nineteenth-century music publishing. Goertzen describes the character of these fiddle tunes' names (and such titles in general), what we can learn about antebellum oral tradition from this collection, and how fiddling relates to blackface minstrelsy. Throughout the book, the author connects the evidence concerning both repertoire and practice found in the Virginia Reels with current southern fiddling, encompassing styles ranging from straightforward to fancy old-time styles of the Upper South, exuberant West Virginia styles, and the melodic improvisations of modern contest fiddling. Twenty-six song sheets assist in this discovery. Goertzen incorporates performance descriptions and music terminology into his accessible, engaging prose. Unlike the vast majority of books on American fiddling regional tune collections or histories this book presents an extended look at the history of southern fiddling and a close examination of current practices.

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9781496828163

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Reviews

Goertzen scholarship about Knauff and his tunes is strong and based on extensive research trips and interviews. His substantial notes are often as interesting to read as the main body of the book. . . . This collection of music, like much published music, was relatively popular when it was released. Its popularity waned as newer publications appeared, but we can now see that it broke new ground and influenced the evolution of American fiddle music. Suddenly the stories about George Knauff, the tunes in his Virginia Reels, and the social life of 19th century Farmville, Virginia, are important to consider in our quest to understand the musical heritage of the United States. Goertzen had the foresight to see this and wrote an excellent and thorough overview and analysis. The subject matter is somewhat specialized, but the book will be well received in libraries that maintain collections related to American music, American folklore, and ethnomusicology.--Drew Beisswenger, The University of Arkansas Fayetteville Western Folklore A welcome addition to the lengthening shelf of publications about fiddling organized around transcriptions that, from various points of view, help us try to figure out what makes a fiddle tune tick--and why traditional fiddle music and fiddlers matter. Highly recommended.--Howard Wight Marshall Journal of Folklore Research Goertzen is a meticulous and creative researcher and an engaging writer. His book is a model for integrating social history into the study of musical history.--Gregory Hansen Arkansas Review 49.3 (December 2018)

A welcome addition to the lengthening shelf of publications about fiddling organized around transcriptions that, from various points of view, help us try to figure out what makes a fiddle tune tick--and why traditional fiddle music and fiddlers matter. Highly recommended.--Howard Wight Marshall Journal of Folklore Research Goertzen is a meticulous and creative researcher and an engaging writer. His book is a model for integrating social history into the study of musical history.--Gregory Hansen Arkansas Review 49.3 (December 2018)

Author Information

Chris Goertzen is professor of music history and world music at the University of Southern Mississippi. His books include Fiddling for Norway: Revival and Identity; Southern Fiddlers and Fiddle Contests; Made in Mexico: Tradition, Tourism, and Political Ferment in Oaxaca; George P. Knauff's ""Virginia Reels"" and the History of American Fiddling; and American Antebellum Fiddling, the latter four published by University Press of Mississippi.

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