In this groundbreaking, all encompassing work, an eminent musicologist explores the evolution of music, from the ecstatic singing and Shaman songs of early civilizations to the development of more structured styles in Egypt, East Asia, India, Greece, Rome, the Middle East, and Europe. Eight plates of illustrations depict players and orchestras. Reprint of the W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, 1943 edition.
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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.
Five Centuries of Keyboard Music by John Gillespie Practicing musician and professor of music discusses 350 composers and their works for harpsichord and piano. Includes 116 musical examples.
Sacred Dance in the Ancient World by W. O. E. Oesterley Intriguing survey examines the sacred processional dance, performed by Hittites, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and other peoples; the ritual dance around sacred objects; and sacred dances performed during harvests and festivals.
Woodwind Instruments and Their History by Anthony Baines This definitive text combines a history of woodwinds with detailed descriptions and photographs of the various instruments in use today. Includes 34 halftones, 41 line illustrations, 25 musical examples and 16 fingering charts.
Songs and Tales from the Dark Continent by Natalie Curtis Authentic regional singings and sayings feature folklore from the Ndau tribe of Portuguese East Africa and Zulus of South Africa: labor chants, dances, laments, songs of war, meditation, and love, plus proverbs, legends, fables.
History of the Violin by William Sandys, Simon Andrew Forster One of the most respected and referenced books of its kind, this authoritative volume surveys violins and other bowed instruments from ancient to modern times. Includes 55 rare illustrations.
Our Singing Country: Folk Songs and Ballads by John A. Lomax, Alan Lomax Melodies and words for over 200 authentic folk songs and ballads from all parts of the country — spirituals, hollers, game songs, lullabies, courting songs, work songs, Cajun airs, breakdowns, many more.
Native American Dance Steps by Bessie Evans, May G. Evans This well-researched book provides details of the varied steps Native American groups have used to express ideas — from skips, jumps, and hop steps, to an Indian form of the pas de bourrée.
Iroquois Music and Dance: Ceremonial Arts of Two Seneca Longhouses by Gertrude P. Kurath First-hand investigation of Iroquois songs and dances by a modern dancer turned anthropologist. Includes descriptions, analysis, and diagrams of dance variants and words and music for dozens of songs and dances. Illustrations.
Ancient Egyptian Dances by Irena Lexová One of the few books in English on the topic investigates origins, nature, role of dance in ancient Egypt. 80 drawings and illustrations adapted from tomb paintings, other sources. New introduction. Bibliography.
The Interpretation of the Music of the 17th and 18th Centuries by Arnold Dolmetsch A landmark of musicology, this 1915 study quotes treatises of the baroque era to explore performance techniques and music's roles as both an art and a science. Topics include tempo, rhythm, ornamentation, more.
The Violin and Viola: History, Structure, Techniques by Sheila M. Nelson Discusses the historical development and changing structure of the 2 instruments through the contributions of Stradivarius; techniques of Leopold Mozart and Paganini, and more. Includes music examples and 11 diagrams, 24 halftones.
English Keyboard Music Before the Nineteenth Century by John Caldwell English keyboard art from Robertsbridge Codex (c. 1325) to John Field. Illuminating coverage of organ, harpsichord, pianoforte, other instruments; works of Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, Tomkins, many others. Bibliography.
Negro Folk-Songs by Natalie Curtis Burlin Authentic record of traditional plantation songs features 19 transcriptions of spirituals, work-songs, and play-songs scored for male quartet — from "Go Down, Moses" to "Cott'n-pickin' song."
Musical Wind Instruments by Adam Carse Describes instruments used in European orchestras, military, and other wind bands during the past 400 years, including flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, trumpets, cornets, more. Includes 30 photos, 41 drawings and diagrams, and 11 charts.
