Observations of foreign travelers — narrative sources about the phenomenon of music in Moldovan culture (XVIII century)

Th e present paper is designed with the intention of capitalizing on the narrative praxis of foreign travelers, which partially outlines the image of music from the culture of Moldova, resulting from their stay on the territory of the country. Starting from the researched historical sources, the content, presented in chronological order, highlights and analyzes the points of view of the travelers from outside, whose reflections and comments facilitate the penetration into the realities of court music and fiddle music, often considered “minor forms” of manifestation of the sound art, to which local research has often paid less attention. Captured from the perspective of the non-professional traveller, the described information reveals the circumstances, in which the services of music are appealed to and the share of the phenomenon in official events. At the same time, the syntheses undertaken shed light on the exaggerations and (or) subjectivisms expressed in the interpretations and opinions of foreign visitors. Nevertheless, the travel notes have the role of contributing to broadening the horizon of national music in the historical period under research.