Canadian Journal for Traditional Music (1982)
Editorial Notes
This issue is a good mixture both geographically and ethnically. The articles cover four provinces, ranging from Newfoundland in the east to Alberta in the west. There are two major articles on Anglo-Canadian folk music, one major article and two extensive reviews of a French-Canadian book and records; and three articles covering various aspects of the folk music in other ethnic groups.
The two lead articles are of particular interest. Lisa Ornstein surveys instrumental folk music of Quebec both from a historical viewpoint and in relation to its functions in more recent times. This is an introduction to an important topic which, as she points out, has been rather neglected by scholars. T.B. Rogers, the president of the Canadian Folk Music Society, presents an extensive article on a Newfoundland ballad: an outcome of his studies in the Folklore Department of Memorial University. His analysis shows how some ballads report historical events quite accurately, and also how they reflect the local situation and culture. It throws some light on the process and significance of local ballad-making which is still very much alive in Newfoundland.
Donald Deschênes, our new French-Canadian associate editor, has provided an extensive analysis of the music section of Dr. Carmen Roy's important survey of Littératureorale en Gaspésie, and also organized reviews of three recent French-Canadian folk-music records.
In the other articles, Cheryl Hendrickson offers some theories to explain why there is not more English-language folk music in Alberta; Judith R. Cohen presents some examples of the ancient Sephardic songs that have survived in Montreal and Toronto; Leslie Hall outlines how music is incorporated in the various types of social activities among Toronto's Turkish communities; and Charles Heller discusses the types of changes that take place in two different kinds of Jewish music when they are transplanted to Canada.
Next year, 1983, is the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Marius Barbeau, Canada's most renowned folklorist and the founder of the Canadian Folk Music Society. The Society hopes to produce a memorial volume in his honour, and would welcome articles about his work.
Again we thank the Ontario Arts Council for the grant which enables us to continue publishing this magazine.
© Canadian Journal for Traditional Music