Ralph P. Locke

About the Author

Ralph P. Locke is a distinguished musicologist and professor emeritus at the Eastman School of Music, where he has dedicated his career to exploring the intersections of music, culture, and history. With a PhD from Princeton University, Locke's scholarship delves into how composers from the Renaissance to the Classical era incorporated exotic elements—drawn from distant lands and imagined fantasies—into their works, revealing the era's fascinations with the 'other.' His research bridges ethnomusicology and Western art music, offering fresh perspectives on cultural appropriation and representation in scores by figures like Monteverdi, Lully, and Mozart. A prolific writer and lecturer, Locke has influenced generations of scholars through his insightful analyses and engaging prose, making complex historical narratives accessible to both academics and enthusiasts.