Covers the development of musical life in the great centres of European music - Paris, Vienna, London and the courts of Italy and Germany. The contributions of Handel and Bach, and their lesser colleagues are set in their historical and sociological context.

This vintage book contains a comprehensive treatise of Baroque music. It was written for the music student and music lover, with the aim of acquainting them with this great period of music history and helping them to gain a historical understanding of music without which baroque music cannot be fully appreciated and enjoyed. Written in simple, plain language and full of fascinating information about baroque music, this text will appeal to those interested in music but who have little previous knowledge of baroque, and it would make for a most worthy addition to collections of music-related literature. The chapters of this book include: 'Early Baroque in Italy'; 'The Beginnings of the Concertato Style: Gabrieli'; 'The Phases of Baroque Music'; 'Tradition and progress in Sacred Music'; 'The Netherlands School and Its English Background', et cetera. We are republishing this antiquarian volume now in an affordable, modern edition complete with a new prefatory biography of the author.

Music moves through time; it is not static. In order to appreciate music wemust remember what sounds happened, and anticipate what sounds might comenext. This book takes you on a journey of music from past to present, from the Middle Ages to the Baroque Period to the 20th century and beyond!

"A History of Baroque Music is a detailed treatment of the music of the Baroque era, with particular focus on the seventeenth century. The author's approach is a history of musical style with an emphasis on musical scores. The book is divided initially by time period into early and later Baroque (1600-1700 and 1700-1750 respectively), and secondarily by country and composer. An introductory chapter discusses stylistic continuity with the late Renaissance and examines the etymology of the term "Baroque." The concluding chapter on the composer Telemann addresses the stylistic shift that led to the end of the Baroque and the transition into the Classical period."--Jacket.

With this volume, Howard Smither completes his monumental History of the Oratorio. Volumes 1 and 2, published by the University of North Carolina Press in 1977, treated the oratorio in the Baroque era, while Volume 3, published in 1987, explored th