A History of Western Music [antikvár]

Preface This shorter edition of A History of Western Music has been designed for those who prefer or need a more compact presentation of the material. Based as it is on the regular edition, it concentrates on style analysis and musical examples. The changes made have been a matter of compression; no vital aspect of the subject has been slighted. A generation ago this book would have been called simply a "History of Music." Today's view is different, and the word Western in our title reflects the realization that the musical system of Western Europe and the Americas is but one of several among the civilizations of the world. Two further limitations should be stated here: this book is concerned only with art music; and it emphasizes certain composers, works, and historical relationships. Fashions in history change with the generations, like fashions in musical taste. Of course a historian tries to be objective; but any general history of music is bound to reflect its writer's judgment as to which of the music of the past that he happens to know, and which aspects of the historical development of that music, are most worth attending to in the present. The history of music is primarily the history of musical style, and cannot be grasped except by first-hand knowledge of the music itself. It is therefore essential to become acquainted with the sound of the musical examples cited in this book and to hear them in their context; for this reason, most of the examples have been selected from works which are conveniently accessible in standard editions or in anthologies of music, and these are listed in the Appendix to each chapter. An elementary knowledge of musical terms and of harmony-equivalent perhaps to a first-year course in theory—has been assumed. The Glossary contains brief definitions of terms not elsewhere defined in this book; but many of these are terms which a student who is ready to begin the study of the history of music should not need to look up, unless by way of reminder. The Appendixes also contain suggestions for further reading. These lists are not intended as bibliographies. Most of the titles are