"Although the title makes it sound like a reference book, it is so
much more than that The style of writing is engaging and informative The
layout is attractive, with beautiful illustrations, photos, period
paintings, quotes, and interesting inserts on every page Wilkinson's
history unfolds like a symphonic work with instrument makers, composers
and virtuosic performers picking up these incredible creations and
exposing their beauty and capability To open it up is to be instantly
hooked "
-- Publishers Weekly
The 400-year story of music told by the instruments that make an
orchestra
The History of Music in Fifty Instruments outlines musical history in
well-written nuggets of information Profiling one instrument at a time,
it describes the history of music since the 1700s, when orchestras first
took the formal shape familiar to us The concise text explains the role
of each instrument in the orchestra and its importance in the
development of music in general
The book lists the 50 instruments chronologically in the woodwind,
brass, percussion and string sections of an orchestra The classic
instruments are included -- violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, harp
and more Some instruments reflect the musical period or context in which
they were most popular, such as the harpsichord in the Baroque period,
and the snare drum in military parades Among the unusual instruments is
the otherworldly theremin
A wide range of modern and archival photographs and paintings show the
instruments Entries outline their historical and country origins and the
era in which they were played (e g Classical, Modern) Annotated
illustrations explain the instrument's construction, how it is played
and tuned, and its musical range Composers, musical compositions and
musicians that highlight the particular instrument are examined For
example, Baroque composer Antonio Vivalidi's contribution to the violin;
inventor Adolphe Sax's tenacious promotion of his saxophone in the
1840s; and 20th century pianist Glenn Gould's controversial recordings
of Bach's Goldberg Variations
For musicians, teachers and students, and all who enjoy music, this book
is a beautiful and informative tour of the orchestra and beyond
