Rainforest Soundwalks: Ambiences of Bosavi, Papua New Guinea, the CD by anthropologist Steven Feld

Abstract

Steven Feld, professor of Music and Anthropology at Columbia University, is a pioneer in the field of sound anthropology, an area that connects acoustics to social and historical context. He argues that music should be understood within a broader spectrum of environmental and cultural sounds, not just from a Western perspective. His work, including the influential book Sound and Sentiment, highlights the musical ethno-theories of "natives," often expressed metaphorically. Feld is also known for his musical projects, such as Bosavi: Rainforest Music from Papua New Guinea and Voices of the Rainforest, which explore the relationship between music and natural sounds. In addition, he is an active musician, performing in groups like the Tom Guralnick Trio.