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The definitive survey, combining current scholarship with a vibrant narrative. Carefully informed by feedback from dozens of scholars, it remains the book that students and teachers trust to explain what's important, where it fits and why it matters. Peter Burkholder weaves a compelling story of people, their choices and the western musical tradition that emerged. From chant to hip-hop, he connects past to present to create a context for tomorrow's musicians.
Chapter 1: The Ancient World
* Traces the origins of Western music in ancient Greece, Rome, and the Middle East.
* Examines the development of Greek melodic modes and polyphony.
* Real example: The "Great Aulos" of the Greek theater, a double-reed instrument that produced a piercing sound.
Chapter 2: The Early Middle Ages
* Explores the emergence of Gregorian chant and polyphony in the church.
* Discusses the development of musical notation and the role of monasteries as centers of musical preservation.
* Real example: The "Dies irae" chant, a powerful and evocative sequence used in medieval church services.
Chapter 3: The High Middle Ages
* Examines the rise of polyphony in the 12th and 13th centuries.
* Focuses on the work of composers such as Pérotin and Leonin, who developed the organum and the motet.
* Real example: The "Sumer is icumen in" round, a secular composition that demonstrates the sophistication of polyphonic writing.
Chapter 4: The Late Middle Ages
* Describes the development of instrumental music and the rise of secular genres such as the madrigal and the chanson.
* Discusses the influence of the Renaissance on music, including the use of humanism and the revival of classical forms.
* Real example: The "Mille regretz" chanson by Josquin des Prez, a masterpiece of polyphonic composition.
Chapter 5: The Renaissance
* Covers the explosion of musical activity in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries.
* Examines the development of the polyphonic mass, the motet, and the madrigal.
* Real example: The "Mass for the Departed" by Giovanni Palestrina, a sublime example of Renaissance polyphony.
Chapter 6: The Baroque
* Explores the emergence of new musical forms such as the concerto, the sonata, and the opera in the 17th and 18th centuries.
* Discusses the rise of instrumental virtuosity and the development of harmony.
* Real example: The "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5" by Johann Sebastian Bach, a masterpiece of Baroque instrumental music.
Chapter 7: The Classical
* Examines the shift towards greater clarity, balance, and elegance in the music of the late 18th century.
* Focuses on the work of composers such as Mozart and Haydn, who developed the symphony and the string quartet.
* Real example: The "Symphony No. 40" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a testament to the grace and sophistication of Classical music.
Chapter 8: The Romantic
* Explores the rise of emotions, individualism, and nationalistic sentiment in music during the 19th century.
* Discusses the work of composers such as Wagner, Verdi, and Schubert, who pushed the boundaries of musical expression.
* Real example: The "Liebestod" from "Tristan und Isolde" by Richard Wagner, a thrilling and heart-wrenching depiction of love and sacrifice.
Chapter 9: The Modern
* Covers the 20th and 21st centuries, marked by a diversity of musical styles and innovations.
* Examines the rise of atonality, serialism, and electroacoustic music.
* Real example: The "Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky, a revolutionary ballet score that broke new ground in orchestral composition.
