Description
Book SynopsisA survey of the origins and development of musical instruments world-wide from Paleolithic times to the present day. Illustrated with pictures of several hundred instruments from all over the world on 120 plates, with five maps for ease of reference to exotic places.
Trade Review...it is a concise, intelligent, contemporary equivalent, evincing the benefits of six decades of thought on the place of musical instruments in human life. It is also an antidote to flash but vapid presentations...as a readable organological treatise of modest size, this book is unsurpassed. Essential. -- . * CHOICE, April 2008 *
It is a pleasure to read a comprehensive book on the subject of the origin and development of musical instruments, especially when written by an expert on the subject....I highly recommend this volume... * American Reference Books Annual, March 2008 *
A welcome addition to the field of organology.... It is clear that he not only loves his subject, but also has knowledge of it from many different vantage points.... A fine textbook for a semester survey of musical instruments...as well as a fine resource for laypersons who wish to know more about musical sounds in many cultures throughout many periods. -- Susan Forscher Weiss * Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association, March 2009 *
Montagu's publication is broad in its scope, and represents a study of the cultural, social and technological developments of the world's instruments. The quality of writing keeps the reader fully engaged. Each chapter introduces the terminology relating to instruments of a specific type and provides explanations that should be comprehensible to a non-specialist. This book contains material that will be widely referenced and will be of immense value to anyone wishing to gain an informed overview of the field. * Galpin Society Journal *
Montagu provides an exceptional discussion....Montagu is masterful in his presentation of intricate organological material that crosses boundaries of time and space....Beautifully written and chocked full of a lifetime of research. * Music Research Forum *
Table of ContentsPart 1 List of Illustrations Part 2 Acknowledgments Part 3 Explanations and Definitions Part 4 Abbreviations Part 5 Maps Chapter 6 1. Origins Chapter 7 2. Drums Chapter 8 3. Flutes and Recorders Chapter 9 4. Reeds Chapter 10 5. "Brass" Instruments: Trumpets and Horns Chapter 11 6. String Instruments Chapter 12 7. Pipe Organs Chapter 13 8. Electrophones Part 14 Afterword: Archaeology and Other -ologies Chapter 15 Classification of Instruments Chapter 16 Scales and Music Chapter 17 The Sounds of Science Part 18 Bibliography Part 19 Index of Instruments and Accessories Part 20 Index of Places and Peoples Part 21 General Index Part 22 About the Author
