Dance has always been an important aspect of all human cultures; and the study of human movement and action has become a topic of increasing relevance over the last decade; bringing dance into the focus of the cognitive sciences. This book discusses the wide range of interrelations between body postures and body movements as conceptualised in dance with perception; mental processing and action planning. The volume brings together cognitive scientists; psychologists; neuroscientists; choreographers; and ballet teachers; to discuss important issues regarding dance and cognition. First; scientists introduce ideas that offer different perspectives on human movement and therefore can be applied to dance. Secondly; professionals from the world of dance have their say; reporting on how their creative and pedagogical work relates to cognition and learning. Finally; researchers with personal links to the dance world demonstrate how neurocognitive methods are applied to studying different aspects related to dance. This book is suitable for students and professionals from the fields of psychology; neuropsychology; cognitive psychology; sport psychology and sport science; movement science; motor control; motor development; kinesiology; dance; choreography; dance education and dance therapy; to teachers who want to teach dance to students of any age.
#1408875 in eBooks 2010-09-14 2010-09-14File Name: B003R0LBTO
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A joyful ariaBy Ken KardashLike so many others. Ive always found the classic songs of the likes of Frank Sinatra. Dean Martin and Perry Como comforting. But for the author. they and their stories are not only comforting but also a touchstone to his heritage. Which is what makes this book so different and touching to read - its more than either a collective biography or memoir. Each short chapter covers the heyday of a particular singer. some well known. others less so. but always connected to the larger theme of the influence of Italian culture on American popular music. Rotellas sheer joy in the music and enthusiasm for his theme can be almost giddy at times. and I found myself laughing out loud upon seeing chapters on Elvis and Sammy Davis Jr. But somehow he makes it work.It was a discovery to see how the singers traced their musical heritage through one another to Italian opera. and how interconnected they were to the paths of their contemporaries. often coming from the same neighborhoods. The authors trips to these neighborhoods. and identification with the culture. add personal warmth to the telling. The sentiments can be bittersweet. though. The genesis of the book was an exploration of the music that gave courage to the author and his wife as they battled cancer. I was also shocked to read that Italian-American immigrants had been subjected to lynching and wartime civil internment camps. Rather than derailing the otherwise joyful tone of his story. this highlights the depth of the passion from which all the music and memories arise. Its a story told with amore.11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. A Must ReadBy Michael J. FioritoI just finished reading Amore. I have to say that its both an important and informative work - not to mention incredibly readable. While I was able to reminisce on the music my mother and father loved. I also learned a lot about the cultural conditions and influences that has continued to make Italian-Americans great singers. musicians. and instrument makers. More than a book of nostalgia. its a cultural study in the tradition of Greil Marcus and Peter Guralnick. Anyone interested in music is going to value this book.I hope that Amore continues to stimulate further writing on an important subject that has certainly not received enough attention.Russ Columbo has become a new favorite of mine!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. FascinatingBy HarryAs a long-time Tony Bennett fan. I was fascinated by the historical and critical analysis that this book. clearly a labor of love. provides. Amore will appeal. certainly. to Italian-Americans. for whom this is probably a celebration of cultural identity. For the rest of us. its a finely written cultural study that places Tony. Frankie. and so many others in context. Its a wonderful contribution to our understanding of American popular culture.
