Big Bangs: Five Musical Revolutions

Goodall, Howard

ISBN 10: 070116932X / ISBN 13: 9780701169329

Published by Chatto & Windus, 2000

Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # wbs8580720482

Synopsis:

In this work the author guides the reader through five developments in the history of western music; starting with the invention of notation by an 11th century Italian monk, taking in the invention of equal temperament (the gaps between notes), the invention of the piano and that of opera and ending with the story of the first recording made in history - "Mary Had a Little Lamb" by Thomas Edison. The author aims to make these complicated musical advances both clear to the layman and interesting, as well as offering a sense of culture of trial and error and competition, be it in 11th century Italy or 19th century America, in which all progress takes place. Musical history is littered with also-rans - not least the Lyraflugel and the Enphonicon Harp-piano - so each "big bang" is chosen on the grounds that music was never the same after its invention, allowing this biography of 1000 years' endeavour to offer a window on the crucial moments in our musical culture - discoveries that made possible everything from Bach to the Beatles.

Review: "Goodall has a prodigious gift for gathering information. People who know nothing about music will learn a lot here."-- "Sunday Tribune "From the Trade Paperback edition.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Big Bangs: Five Musical Revolutions
Publisher: Chatto & Windus
Publication Date: 2000
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good