A Thousand Years of Western Music

Author: Liao Shutong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Tracing the history of Western music from near to far, have you ever found it unclear when you think of Bach and then try to go further back? What was Western music like before Bach? Western music starting from Bach is only about 300 years old, but this book begins with Gregorian Chant and spans a millennium of Western music. Readers will enjoy a smooth and effortless reading experience, dispelling the fog of Western classical music and completing a coherent, clear, and comprehensive of the history of Western music.
The program "A Thousand Years of Western Music," for which my brother Shen Xiang and I both played a role in promoting, was unfortunately cut short when my brother passed away in 1993. As the matchmaker in this case, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. The British writer Rudyard Kipling once said, "The East is the East, and the West is the West, and they never meet." Such a statement can only reflect the arrogance of those who were out of touch with the times during the imperialist era. At the same time, we cannot deny that there are indeed significant differences between Eastern spirit and Western temperament. Today, with increasing cultural exchange between the East and the West, even to the point of convergence in certain aspects, this reflects human progress. And the prerequisite for this is mutual understanding. My brother Shu Tong is dedicated to fostering this mutual understanding, and "A Thousand Years of Western Music" is his new contribution. The first 30 episodes fill the gap in Chinese understanding of Western music from the 8th to the 16th century, while the remaining 70 episodes delve into the Baroque, pre-classical, classical, romantic, and impressionistic periods in a clear and engaging manner, avoiding clichés while occasionally offering delightful insights.
As an intellectual like my brother Shu Tong, who is tireless in his pursuit of knowledge and achieves success in his later years, I deeply admire him. To complete his writing tasks, he even gave up alcohol. For years, we often discussed music over wine, and his decision to abstain was quite a disappointment. However, seeing his continuous achievements, I realize that his passion has now fully focused on the work he loves. What a remarkable state of mind! May heaven grant him more years to fulfill his aspirations, along with all the aged veterans who still yearn to achieve their goals.
Tracing the history of Western music from near to far, have you ever found it unclear when you think of Bach and then try to go further back? What was Western music like before Bach? Western music starting from Bach is only about 300 years old, but this book begins with Gregorian Chant and spans a millennium of Western music. Readers will enjoy a smooth and effortless reading experience, dispelling the fog of Western classical music and completing a coherent, clear, and comprehensive of the history of Western music.