Richard Dumbrill (Institute of Musical Research, School of Advanced Studies, University of London) and Irving Finkel (British Museum): Ancient Mesopotamian Music

Some of the earliest known examples of musical notation have been found in the region of modern-day Syria and Iraq and date back almost four thousand years. These early compositions—recorded in cuneiform script on clay tablets—have become better understood in recent years. This program will trace the history of early musical composition and discuss advances in the theory of its interpretation. The speakers will demonstrate the sound of this music using reconstructed instruments and show how these were built and played in the Bronze Age.