Chicago Research Paper

Music Culture

Authenticity in world music

A recurring theme in world music, while being very misunderstood, is that of authenticity. This term is generally used to define loyalty to their cultural roots musicians and their musical traditions, however, is ambiguous. First, it seeks to demarcate special music, and the stance cultural, aesthetic and even social or political musicians who perform that music. Secondly, all music is inevitably influences the backlash of globalization, Westernization, and especially the "co modification" in Western: world music become commercial commodities. Once they earn more, they are abandoned. Number of traditional music considered were redesigned according to the mold that requires marketing, thereby changing an alleged authenticity.

Several of the songs and dances that are encountered in the tours, although based on traditional music, rearranged, and even transformed, to appeal to Western travelers. Famous Mystery of Bulgarian Voices is in fact an invention of the seventies. The Thai is music of the countryside which is regarded in Thailand as authentically Thai, yet these musicians dressed similarly and dance orchestras of Latin America.

What then defines an authentic music? Is respect for tradition? No tradition is static; it undergoes various influences and evolves. The examples I have quoted indicate clearly that many traditions are now remodeled to please the Western mind. Is music that emerged in the twentieth century were really a tradition when their roots are established in slavery or oppression? Is a character pop music that has emerged in the '80s is genuine, despite potential links with some tradition? Are musicians who fuse African instruments and Irish, Chinese or otherwise, are an authentic music? Can a rock band in Singapore is a more authentic Australian aboriginal rock band? The musicians say they express their cultural roots through rock, roots sometimes difficult to discern their rock is so typical and so little "different."

The term authenticity, in the absence of another, is often misused. It seeks to demarcate and protect some elements still live precarious crop, lost in a sound mass westernizing and to try to personalize the cultural and social roots of music, despite the influences that are often imposed. All world music is now diluted to a greater or lesser degree. Are there really so authentic when music was created out of his country and its culture of origin (e.g. Bhangra)? Is there any authenticity as a member of a gypsy's gypsy origin? Is there any authenticity when Chinese musicians interpret their parts western Chinese instruments? Many musicians are judged on the basis of miscegenation they practice. 

Judgment of Authenticity and value judgments

Authenticity, with what it requires sincerity and loyalty to oneself, is a concept that belongs to modern culture. Its main bases are already in the eighteenth century where the aesthetic sensitivity, imagination and originality make sense of artistic creation.

For us in the context of traditional music, authenticity appears to be the dominant criterion for determining the success or beauty of a musical practice, this criterion is still carrying multiple representations and interpretations. And behind this consideration of aesthetic, looming likes an echo, the issue of cultural identity. The criteria upon which the decision of authenticity - in the words given by Jean-Jacques, in fact, elements of which are chosen habits and practices and shared by a group of individuals for a certain period ...