A History of Keyboard Literature: Music for the Piano and Its Forerunners (Casebound) [Hardcover]

Stewart Gordon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0028709659 | ISBN-13: 978-0028709659 | Publication Date: March 6, 1996 | Edition: 1

A History of Keyboard Literature: Music for the Piano and Its Forerunners presents a comprehensive and easily accessible history of literature for all stringed keyboard instruments.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Gordon's long career in university-level keyboard instruction qualifies him to present this comprehensive text addressed to serious students of solo piano literature, most of them presumably performers who will keep the book as a source of ideas for repertoire and information for program notes. Whole chapters are devoted to brief biographies of and descriptions of individual pieces by the great European masters, with histories of forms (sonatas, character pieces, etc.) and styles presented as they evolved. Separate chapters collectively treat minor masters and certain geographic and style groupings (e.g., Russian, Spanish, "nontonal" composers). Well made and information packed, this title supplements F.E. Kirby's Music for Piano (LJ 11/15/95). For large music collections.?Bonnie Jo Dopp, Long Branch Community Lib., Silver Spring, Md.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 566 pages
• Publisher: Schirmer; 1 edition (March 6, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028709659
• ISBN-13: 978-0028709659
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #910,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Key to Keyboard Literature, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A History of Keyboard Literature: Music for the Piano and Its Forerunners (Casebound) (Hardcover)

Gordon's "History of Keyboard Literature" sits next to Grout/Palisca's "History of Western Music" on my shelf. As a student studying piano and a future educator, I have found the book to be a great resource. One who sits at the either the piano, organ, or harpsichord must be familiar with the vast history and repertoire written for keyboard instruments. The book is organized chronilogically. It begins with a very satisfying history of the development and construction of early keyboard instruments as well as a thourough overview of the role of the keyboard up to the end of the Renaissance. After this it takes a composer by composer approach chronilogically starting with Bach and Handel. Published in 1996, this book is very up to date and provides many names, especially twentieth century composers. Like any history book, this is not the final word on the subject of keyboard music, but it is an excellent first stop for whatever research one is up to. A must for any pianists shelf.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have Resource For Pianists and Piano Teachers, October 16, 2008

By 

JBebe - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A History of Keyboard Literature: Music for the Piano and Its Forerunners (Paperback)

This is a wonderful reference book for anyone studying the piano. It begins with a brief history on the development of keyboard instruments (for a more in-depth history of the instrument, check out Men, Women and Pianos: A Social History), and then chronologically goes through each composer and gives a brief biography and then discusses their contributions to keyboard literature.

One great thing about this book is that the author touches on features of most of the keyboard works of the masters, including every single sonata of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. The book also contains musical excerpts to illustrate points made.

This book is a wonderful place to start if you are interested in expanding your knowledge of piano literature; through studying this book and listening to the works discussed, I have found dozens of pieces I would love to learn that I would not have otherwise known about.

Every serious pianist must have this book, along with Hinson's Guide to the Pianist's Repertoire. As a pianist and piano teacher, I highly recommend this book.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars history of keyboard, October 14, 2010

By 

crystal girl - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A History of Keyboard Literature: Music for the Piano and Its Forerunners (Paperback)

Very expensive book which could really use some pictures. It would be helpful to see the early clavichord/harpsichord design. Also a picture of one from a museum which shows the decoration. Drawings of the composers would be nice.