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Title: The History of Western Music (Study Guide) by J. Peter Burkholder, Donald J. Grout, Claude V. Norton Anthology of Western Music Palisca ISBN: 0393969053 Publisher: W W Norton & Co. Pub. Date: 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.50 |
Average Customer Rating: 4
Rating: 5
Summary: The Place to Start
Comment: This book is undoubtedly the place to begin any serious look into music history. It is an omnibus study of what is commonly referred to as Western Art Music. It discusses composers, styles, and trends within music history itself. It doesn't cover ethnomusicology more than necessary (although it does point out examples beyond the scope of the book that merit further study, such as jazz). As for tying music history to art history, world history, and philosophy (ie the "new" musicology), this book does a commendable, albeit conservative, job. There are discussions of how major historical trends shaped music (most notably the spread of Christianity) and plenty of color plates showing works of art contemporary to the pieces being discussed.
What sets this book apart from other omnibus texts is its throughness. It starts at the very beginning of music history and remains strong to the present. Here is a page breakdown to illustrate my point:
1-32 - Ancient Greek and Roman Musical Thought (very few textbooks start before the Medieval period)
32-152 - Medieval Music
152-268 - Renaissance Music
268-439 - Baroque Period
439-533 - Classical Period
533-692 - Romantic Period
692-805 - Modern and Postmodern trends
805-822 - Glossary (very useful)
As you can see, it treats all the phases of music history relatively equally, giving a better sense of how the big picture comes together. There is some excellent supplemental material which includes the basics of reading medieval and renaissance music notation.
Donald Grout and Claude Palisca aren't so much boring in their writing style as they are serious. The book is concise and well-written. While it is by no means a page-turner (it's much too dense), it does have a good flow.
At $65, this book is expensive, but it's well worth the extra money to get the best text available. I know this will be a reference resource in my library for years to come.
Rating: 5
Summary: A definitive history of Western art music
Comment: "A History of Western Music" is a standard reference text for the academic study of "classical" art music from antiquity to the present (i.e. 1960). As an example of this book's scholarly authority, the 5th edition is commonly the sole information source for many Master's of Music history qualifying exams. Author and Cornell professor emeritus Donald Grout writes with a straightforward style and elucidates his prose with many colorful pictures and musical examples. All those looking for a thorough, single volume survey of Western art music should make this book the first addition to their library.
Rating: 4
Summary: The standard by which other music historians must follow.
Comment: This is agreeably the most popular and complete text for any serious student of music history. It is straightforward, concise, and without unnecessary embelishments other authors may find necessary. This straightforward writing style, I must admit, does not make it the most exciting text available. When I was in undergraduate school, I found that Grout's book was often the most effective cure for insomnia.
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Title: The Norton Anthology of Western Music, Fourth Edition, Volume 1: Ancient to Baroque by Claude V. Palisca ISBN: 0393976904 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: 2001 List Price(USD): $48.30 |
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Title: The Norton Anthology of Western Music, Fourth Edition, Volume 2: Classic to Modern by Claude V. Palisca ISBN: 0393976912 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: 2001 List Price(USD): $48.30 |
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Title: Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music : Classic to Modern (6-CD set) by Donald Jay Grout ISBN: 0393103676 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: 2001 List Price(USD): $90.90 |
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Title: Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music by Donald Jay Grout ISBN: 0393103668 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: 2001 List Price(USD): $90.90 |
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Title: Study and Listening Guide for a History of Western Music (6th): And Norton Anthology of Western Music (4th) by J. Peter Burkholder ISBN: 0393976947 Publisher: W W Norton & Co. Pub. Date: 2001 List Price(USD): $19.90 |
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