Scotland's Music: A History of the Traditional and Classical Music of Scotland from Early Times to the Present Day - Hardcover

Purser, John

9781845961602: Scotland's Music: A History of the Traditional and Classical Music of Scotland from Early Times to the Present Day

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1845961609 ISBN 13: 9781845961602

Publisher: Mainstream Publishing, 2007

John Purser's major work encompasses the whole of Scotland's music, from the third millennium BC to the present day. Describing both classical and traditional music, Scotland's Music pursues the fascinating relationship between them through the centuries and shows how they illuminate Scottish history and culture.

The book is generously illustrated and, with over 200 music examples, provides a unique resource. Early Celtic plainchant, ballads in Scots and Gaelic, Renaissance masterpieces by Carver and others, rare music for lutes and virginals, and many under-appreciated and beautiful works by composers such as John Clerk of Penicuik, James Oswald, the Earl of Kellie and John Thomson are all discussed. Scotland's Music's range is wide, and it concludes with a survey of the diverse contemporary music of today, from operatic and symphonic to Gaelic, folk and pop.

Scotland's Music is a tremendously entertaining and stimulating book. This new edition builds on its award-winning predecessor, substantially updated and taking account of new discoveries and research. It has both a general and a scholarly appeal, not only in Scotland but worldwide; it is an all-embracing account of one of Europe's most remarkable musical cultures.

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Review:

"A paragon of probing research, rigorous documentation and pugnaciously informed opinion . . . indispensable" (The Scotsman)

"Nothing like this cornucopia of discovery, this magisterial survey of the nation's musical heritage . . . has been attempted, let alone achieved with such distinction and authority" (Scotland on Sunday)

"It is a most splendid account of the history of music in Scotland with wonderful illustrations very clearly presented and fascinating text . . . I shall treasure the book" (Sir Yehudi Menuhin)

"The book is a milestone" (The Herald)

"Beautifully illustrated, brilliantly researched and written . . . tells you everything you need to know and more about our nation's clasical and traditional music history" (Kenneth Walton, classical music critic)

About the Author:

Born in Glasgow in 1942, John Purser is well known as a composer, broadcaster and writer. His plays include Carver, a full-length radio play about Scotland's greatest composer.

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