As elite communities in medieval societies the Military Orders were driven by the ambition to develop built environments that fulfilled monastic needs as well as military requirements and; in addition; residential and representational purposes. Growing affluence and an international orientation provided a wide range of development potential. That this potential was in fact exploited may be exemplified by the advanced fortifications erected by Templars and Hospitallers in the Levant.Although the history of the Military Orders has been the subject of research for a long time; their material legacy has attracted less attention. In recent years; however; a vast range of topics concerning the Orders’ building activities has become the object of investigation; primarily with the help of archaeology. They comprise the choice of sites and building materials; provision and storage of food and water; aspects of the daily life; the design and layout of commanderies; churches and fortifications; their spatial arrangement; and the role these buildings played in their environmental context.This volume contains ten articles discussing the archaeology and architecture of buildings erected by the three major Military Orders in different geographical regions. They cover most countries of Western Europe and include a number of important fortifications in the Levant. These studies break new ground in the investigation of the built fabric of the Military Orders. Written by noted international scholars this publication is an important contribution to modern research on these institutions; which; in their association of monasticism and knighthood; were so typical for the Middle Ages.
#1298032 in eBooks 2010-05-27 2010-05-27File Name: B00IQY6U2O
Review
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful. The Conductor and The Deep ListenerBy Dr. Debra Jan BibelClassical music has scores with composers notes and instructions; yet each performance; each conductor; each orchestra creates a different result. Soloists especially make a career out of their unique approach to the music. Novelist Haruki Murakami and conductor Seiji Ozawa; battling cancer; had a series of conversations on such subjects; as well as on Ozawas life as a music director. This book; in translation; presents the interviews conducted over several years. Murakami happens also to be an avid collector of classical albums; CD and LP; and besides an extensive gathering of Ozawas own recordings; he has multiple renditions of particular Beethoven; Brahms; Mahler; and Berlioz pieces; which he played to further the discussion. Good familiarity of these core classical composers is necessary to appreciate the topics. No scores are presented but a website is given with samples of the compositions. For the classical music enthusiast; the easily and quickly read book provides insights into the art and also the duties of the conductor. Ozawa had training with Leonard Bernstein and Herbert von Karajan and subsequently has led numerous orchestras. I personally remember his youthful years as conductor of the San Francisco Symphony after Josef Krips. The entertaining and informative talks explain the ways of conducting and the interactions with musicians; and the extensive presentation on Mahler adds a new dimension to listening to his symphonies. Murakmai proved to be a deep listener; who while not a musician himself; has an ear for subtle differences in performances of soloists and the orchestra at large. Thus; the two men could delve into specifics. The magic of a brilliant performance remains a mystery; but the reader will have gained greater understanding of its components.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Surprisingly goodBy John CampbellFascinating. never read anything like it. Murakami is such a fan; and such a good asker of questions; Ozawa is such a regular guy (considering he is a great conductor) and very good at reflecting on what he has played and what others have played. It is great that in this era we can listen to many of the performances mentioned without requiring an enormous record library. The book is entertaining and absorbing even for some one without extensive knowledge of classical music.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Interesting readBy Noriko MeguroNice insight if you are classical music lover. Conversation is between two great maestros in two different art world which makes it even more intriguing.
