About the Book
For most musicians and musicologists in the West, traditional Albanian music remains an obscure subject. In reality, Albania has produced a monumental cultural and corresponding musical heritage. This book examines the distinct musical culture of southeastern Europe, both monophonic and polyphonic, by delineating its four main musical dialects: Gheg, Tosk, Lab and Urban. The origins, fundamental features, musical styles and genres of the four dialects are discussed. Additional topics covered include an historical and demographic analysis of Albania, the history of Albanian ethnomusicology and the various classifications in Albanian music. Relying heavily on field research and recordings, this text introduces traditional Albanian music to both ethnomusicologists and curious readers.

About the Author
Spiro J. Shetuni is an associate professor and authority control librarian at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He holds a Ph.D. from Tirana State University in Tirane, Albania, and an MLS from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Dr. Shetuni has published broadly on European ethnomusicology and is currently working on a series of scholarly monographs about Albanian traditional music.