Western music history

Author: Grout
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1996-01-01
Features: A revised edition of a highly popular history of music, not intended to completely rewrite it but to enhance its relevance. Readers familiar with previous editions will notice significant changes in both appearance and content, though the chapter structure and scope remain largely unchanged. The addition of "Western" to the title reflects our awareness that the musical systems of Europe and North and South America are merely one among many musical systems in world civilization. Another limitation of this book's scope is its focus solely on "art music"; however, it must be acknowledged that the concept of "art music" itself is quite ambiguous. Genres such as popular music, jazz, and the like have indeed developed considerable technical sophistication, but it is not expected that this book will treat this vast branch of Western music (now an independent area of study) equally. Standard music history curricula may also not afford equal treatment, and this book is merely a handbook for conventional music history.