The Cambridge Music Guide

by Stanley Sadie, Alison Latham

Overview

The Cambridge Music Guide is for all those who love music and wish to know more about its colorful history, development and theory. Superbly illustrated, the Guide is a comprehensive tour of every aspect of the musical world, expertly edited by Stanley Sadie, editor of the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. The guide explains all the elements of musical notation, of pitch and harmony, of different musical genres. The development of musical instruments and the modern orchestra is charted through the ages, and the roots of music itself are traced—from Medieval chant to modern jazz solos and the electric wizardry of today's composers. With individual studies of all major composers and a unique series of "listening guides" to important works through the ages, The Cambridge Music Guide serves as a comprehensive introduction for all those studying, playing or simply seeking more enjoyment from the world of music.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521399425
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/05/1990
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	546
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.38(d)

Table of Contents

Map; Preface; Part I. The Elements of Music; Part II. The Instruments of Music; Part III. The Structure of Music; Part IV. The Middle Ages; Part V. The Renaissance; Part VI. The Baroque Era; Part VII. The Classical Era; Part VIII. The Romantic Era; Part IX. The Turn of the Century; Part X. Modern Times; Part XI. The Traditions of Popular Music; Further Listening; Further Reading; Glossary; Acknowledgements; Index.

Preface

The principal aim of this book is to enhance people's pleasure and understanding in listening to music. Although it is designed in the first place fro those with little experience or musical knowledge, I hope that its mixture of musical description and background information may also prove attractive and helpful to the general music lover.

Editorial Reviews

"Stanley Sadie and Alison Latham agree that art should be viewed within a larger social context, and they bring this perspective to The Cambridge Music Guide, available for the first time in the US. Intended as an expansive reference to Western music for the novice (with sophisticated elements for the aficionadl), the book introduces the fundamental elements of music, followed by its history from the sixth century...to Bach to the Boss." Publishers Weekly

"Stanley Sadie and his colleagues responsible for this publication have given us a fine and informative general music history overview. What distinguishes this work from many other music history texts is the special emphasis that Stanley Sadie has made in puttin this music information into coherent historical contexts. ...a splendid introductory course for the newcomer as well as a fine general reference source for more knowledgeable readers. This is a most welcome volume." Jeffrey Nussbaum, The Historic Brass Society

From the Publisher

A sumptuous one-volume history of music...careful and well organized.

Times Literary Supplement