Traditional Songs of the Maori

"Traditional Maori chant is unfamiliar to many New Zealanders. Nevertheless, hundreds of songs, in diverse styles, express basic values of traditional Maori culture and form a vital part of marae ceremonial. The music is highly sophisticated and the poetry is of great power and subtlety." "Winner of the non-fiction section of the inaugural New Zealand Book Awards in 1975, this book was the first to include both texts and music of traditional Maori songs. From his recordings made in the field a generation ago, Mervyn McLean has chosen 50 songs reperesentative of the most common types, and has transcribed their music. Margaret Orbell has translated and annotated them. Amongst the rich variety of songs are elaborate and highly allusive laments, love songs, war chants, songs welcoming visitors, face saving songs, and epigrammatic occasional songs." "This collection is of continuing interest to students of music, poetry, and Maori tradition. Together with the accompanying CDs containing recordings of all the songs in the book, it is also an invaluable aid to those wishing to learn the songs."--BOOK JACKET.McLean, Mervyn is the author of 'Traditional Songs of the Maori', published 1980 under ISBN 9780196479767 and ISBN 0196479762.