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A history of western music
First published 1960 · 1150 pages
A monumental, scholarly journey through the centuries of sound that shaped the Western world.
What it feels like
Reading this monumental text feels like walking through the grandest, most meticulously curated museum of human sound. The pace is undeniably steady, demanding patience as it builds a massive, interconnected architecture of historical and cultural context. It is deeply academic and authoritative, yet there is a quiet reverence for the subject matter that keeps the dense prose from feeling entirely clinical. You are immersed in an intellectual atmosphere, tracing the slow, fascinating evolution of tradition clashing with innovation across centuries. The prose is clear and structured, designed to educate rather than entertain, making it a demanding but deeply rewarding experience. It is the ultimate companion for dedicated music students and serious aficionados who want to understand the profound lineage of Western musical expression.
- Mood
- academic
- intellectual
- expansive
- structured
- Tone
- authoritative
- scholarly
- objective
- reverent
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- tradition versus innovation · cultural evolution · the passage of time · human creativity · historical context of art
- The writing
- Clear, dense, and highly structured, prioritizing comprehensive detail and academic rigor over stylistic flourish.
- The arc
- A sweeping intellectual journey that builds from the quiet reverence of ancient chants to the overwhelming, fragmented diversity of the modern era.
- Who it's for
- Music majors, dedicated classical music aficionados, and history buffs who crave a rigorous, comprehensive understanding of musical evolution.
About the book
"A History of Western Music has secured its place - through six editions and for almost half a century - as the definitive resource for students and connoisseurs alike. Today this exceptional book remains the most authoritative and useful text available, providing readers with insights into both the music and its historical context." "In the Seventh Edition, J. Peter Burkholder has revitalized this classic text for a new generation, offering a vivid, accessible, contextual history of music in Europe and the Americas. From tropes in Latin masses to minimalism and the avant-garde, the history of Western music has long been a struggle between tradition and innovation, and Professor Burkholder explores the issues and people at the center of these conflicts. The result is a vibrant, engaging story of people, their ideas, what they valued in music, and the choices they made." "Comprehensively revised, the Seventh Edition calls attention to what's important, where it fits, why it matters, and who cares. Shorter, self-contained chapters are framed by historical context at the beginning and the music's reception and legacy at the end. Sidebars highlight composer biographies, music in daily life, and musical innovations in every period. Timelines and pithy Source Readings in each chapter place music in broader cultural context. Coverage of modern music has been significantly expanded to explore popular and classical idioms as well as the rich diversity of musical genres and styles available today. Long regarded as the definitive history of works and events, A History of Western Music now tells the story of the people behind the music."--BOOK JACKET
Description from Open Library.
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