P'ungmul : South Korean drumming and dance /

This well-documented book, the first full-length book written in English on Korean drumming and dance, should prove an informative resource. Among the interesting topics Hesselink (Illinois State Univ.) covers are criteria for "musical competency," characteristics associated with "left-" and "right-side" performing styles, and rhythmic patterns as linked with "spiritual flow." He provides detailed descriptions of musical instruments, costumes, and ground formations. In chapter 4 the author chronicles his experiences learning P'ungmul (student/teacher relationships, methodology, pacing, etc.) and thus provides significant cultural/pedagogical context. Of particular interest are interviews he conducted with his teachers and mentors: these provide a respectful, meaningful glimpse into the cultural roots of P'ungmul. Hesselink writes that P'ungmul "distinguishes itself from other indigenous performing arts by its central focus on rhythm," and he supports this claim with detailed charts/graphs (and substantive prose) outlining these rhythmic patterns and metrical structures. The book features numerous endnotes, a substantial bibliography, beautiful photographs, and an extremely thorough glossary. Unfortunately, the book lacks a discography of audio/video resources or a list of Web sites where one could hear these rhythmic characteristics, see the costumes, and connect the physical dance movements with the drumming. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Graduate students and above. D. J. Schmalenberger McNally Smith College of Music