Listening to China: Sound and the Sino-Western Encounter, 1770-1839

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Focusing on the auditory experiences of Westerners during the Sino-Western encounter around 1800, this book examines how travelers, diplomats, and writers shaped their understanding of Chinese music. It highlights two key practices: firsthand accounts from those who visited China and the imaginative writings of European thinkers. By exploring these sonic interactions, the author reveals how the perception of China influenced Western music history and knowledge, emphasizing the role of cultural comparison in the development of musical understanding during the European Enlightenment.