Hrvatska narodna glazba: Pregled hrvatske muzikologije

The work Croatian Folk Music by Božidar Širola represents one of the fundamental achievements of Croatian ethnomusicology and an important contribution to the study of traditional musical heritage. Širola, a prominent Croatian musicologist, composer and ethnomusicologist, systematically explores the diverse forms of folk music creation in Croatia and their connection with the historical, social and cultural development of individual regions.

The author analyzes the characteristics of traditional tunes, dances and instrumental music, emphasizing the regional peculiarities that make Croatian folk music exceptionally rich and diverse. Special attention is paid to the musical traditions of Dalmatia, Istria, Slavonia, Lika, Hrvatsko Zagorje and other regions, considering the melodic, rhythmic and performance features characteristic of each region.

The work also describes traditional musical instruments such as tambura, gusal, dvojnice, bagpipes and sopil and their role in the everyday life, customs and festivities of local communities. Širola emphasizes the importance of oral tradition as a key way of preserving and transmitting musical heritage through generations.

In addition to musical characteristics, the author considers and expands on the cultural context of folk music, its connection with customs, religious practices, work activities and the social life of the community. The work thus provides a comprehensive insight into Croatian traditional culture and its musical dimension.

Thanks to its scientific approach, field research and rich documentation, Croatian Folk Music has become a valuable reference work for the study of Croatian musical heritage and an important source for musicologists, ethnologists, cultural historians and all those interested in the preservation of traditional culture.