Music of the First World War

Don Tyler

• Publisher: Greenwood
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781440839962
• eBook ISBN: 9798216120520
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: World War I
• Index: History

This book discusses WWI-era music in a historical context, explaining music's importance at home and abroad during WWI as well as examining what music was being sung, played, and danced to during the years prior to America's involvement in the Great War. Why was music so important to soldiers abroad during World War I? What role did music—ranging from classical to theater music, rags, and early jazz—play on the American homefront? Music of the First World War explores the tremendous importance of music during the years of the Great War—when communication technologies were extremely limited and music often took the place of connecting directly with loved ones or reminiscing via recorded images. The book's chapters cover music's contribution to the war effort; the variety of war-related songs, popular hits, and top recording artists of the war years; the music of Broadway shows and other theater productions; and important composers and lyricists. The author also explores the development of the fledgling recording industry at this time.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Recent Titles in American History through Music
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Alphabetical List of Songs
• Chronological List of Songs
• 1: Introduction
• 2: Music’s Contribution to the War Effort
• 3: Popular Hits of the War Years
• 4: Stage Music during the War Years
• 5: Blues and Rags during World War I
• 6: Jazz during World War I
• 7: Classical Music during World War I
• Appendix A: Most Successful Composers and Lyricists of the WWI Era
• Appendix B: Top Recording Artists of the WWI Era
• Notes
• Suggested Readings and Films
• Selected Bibliography
• Index
• About the Author