3 Review(s)

About The Book: The Oriental Miscellany: Being a Collection of the Most Favourite Airs of Hindoostan, Compiled and Adapted for the Harpsichord (1789) by William Hamilton Bird is a pioneering work that transcribes Indian music into Western notation. This collection features approximately 30 pieces, including a flute sonata, adapted for the harpsichord. Bird's transcriptions reflect the influence of European interest in Indian music during the late 18th century, particularly among British colonial figures. However, Bird's adaptations simplified Indian rhythms, avoided microtonality, and introduced harmonies, diverging from traditional Indian musical structures. The work contributed to the early Western understanding and appreciation of Indian music. About The Author: William Hamilton Bird’s transcriptions of Indian music into Western notation were groundbreaking, and his most notable work, The Oriental Miscellany (1789), compiled Indian melodies for the harpsichord. His transcriptions were influenced by the European interest in national music, similar to the collections of Irish and Scottish folk songs. Bird worked in India during a period of cultural exchange, with figures like Warren Hastings, Sir William Jones, and Sophia Plowden also engaging with Indian music. Bird’s adaptations, however, avoided microtonality, simplified rhythms, and introduced harmonies, deviating from the traditional monophonic and complex rhythmic structures of Indian music. The Title 'The Oriental Miscellany: Being a Collection of the Most Favourite Airs of Hindoostan, Compiled and Adapted for the Harpsichord written/authored/edited by William Hamilton Bird', published in the year 2025. The ISBN 9789369203949 is assigned to the Paperback version of this title. This book has total of pp. 96 (Pages). The publisher of this title is Gyan Publishing House. This Book is in English. The subject of this book is Music. Size of the book is 13.34 x 21.59 cms.