Wednesday, May 31, 2017

David Lewiston

Musicologist; collector and preserver of indigenous musics -- via Nonesuch. An absolutely essential figure in the dissemination and widening respect for indigenous or "world" (a horrible descriptor which merely means "not the stuff you're used to") music. His 1966 compilation "Music from the Morning of the World" really introduced the gamelan to Western listeners, and began a long association with Nonesuch. He loved all music, listened intently, recorded faithfully. I have learned at least as much about music from his work as I have from Harry Smith.