This book has been the main textbook of monody in Soviet musical educational institu- tions for a long period and still has not lost its value. Kushnaryan analyses the musical features of over 300 folk and religious songs. The texts of the folk songs in the musical examples are quoted in Armenian. The interesting feature of the work is its classical approach. The development of music is placed firmly in the context of the progress of the other branches of art, such as literature, architecture and the minor arts. The book breaks new ground, with an eye both for the large issues and for the detail in the music discussed.