The lives of musical things: interpellation and dialogues forged by folk music artefacts and materials in the context of post-folklorism, in Portugal

Abstract

In this presentation, I adress a process of dialogue between researchers, archivists, small cohorts and musicians, forged by tapes, and 78 r.p.m discs of historical sound records. My aim is to discuss the uses and many interactions that those historical sound records bequeathed by folklorism are operationalising in the 21st century’s musical life.

What is the role of these sound recordings in processes of patrimonialization, social justice, or cultural activism is the main question to be addressed. My presentation is grounded on two main notions: that of “repertoire”, following Robert Faulkner and Howard Becker (2009), as a series of incorporated skills, knowledge of the mind and body, enabling action; and that of the “social life of things” (Appadurai 1986; Qureshi 2000). I argue those sound records (i) archive a social trajectory invigorated by numerous human transactions and appraisals; (ii) contain instructions on musical know-how that challenge the body and mind of the music connoisseur; and (iii) qualify and compel musicians and communities to act. The research is based on fieldwork that I have been carrying out for more than twenty years in small villages represented in these sound recordings. In recent years I have organized round tables which brought together tradition-bearers, musicians, archivists and researchers to discuss repatriation or access to these collections. The importance of these materials is highlighted in the empowerment of women to make their repertoires heard, in the local affirmation of small cohorts and in the instruction of young musicians. Throughout the discussion, we understand that these vibrant materials and sound records are further enhanced by social memory and know-how. We observe that the trajectories of the past also reverberate in these sound records. These topics will be discussed during the presentation based on the experiences narrated by my interlocutors.