Letters, diaries, memoirs, etc., by Rossini, Weber, Liszt, and friends, depict Betthoven's accomplishments as well as his strange personality. Includes 16 illustrations.
Here's a sample of other books in this Dover category
Horns, Strings, and Harmony by Arthur H. Benade Engaging, accessible introduction to structure and sound-making capacities of piano, violin, trumpet, bugle, oboe, flute, saxophone, many other instruments. Also, how to build your own trumpet, flute, clarinet. Includes 76 illustrations. Bibliography.
The History of Musical Instruments by Curt Sachs Written by a distinguished musicologist, this comprehensive history of musical instruments traces their evolution from prehistoric times in a fusion of music, anthropology, and fine arts. Includes 24 plates and 167 illustrations.
Music, Physics and Engineering by Harry F. Olson This extraordinarily comprehensive text, requiring no special background, discusses the nature of sound waves, musical instruments, musical notation, acoustic materials, elements of sound reproduction systems, and electronic music. Includes 376 figures.
Stravinsky: A Critical Survey, 1882-1946 by Eric Walter White Fascinating critical and biographical portrait of famed 20th-century composer includes commentary on the evolution of such masterworks as The Firebird, Petrouchka, Le Sacre du Printemps, Pulcinella, and Histoire du Soldat.
How to Make Drums, Tomtoms and Rattles by Bernard Mason Making your own primitive instruments from simple materials such as coffee cans and flower pots. Includes 121 figures.
