Introduction
Keyword(s):
This chapter provides an overview of the book as a whole. It opens with a brief history of Hensel studies—starting with the rediscovery of Hensel in the 1980s, leading through the growth of Hensel scholarship toward the end of the twentieth century, and ending with the current state of affairs—and argues that we need to understand Hensel’s music better. It then outlines some of the book’s guiding principles—including a belief in power of music analysis to access and communicate the wonders of Hensel’s songs and a commitment to exploring Hensel’s songs within its many diverse contexts—and explains the book’s overall organization around these contexts.