Title: A natural history of the piano : the instrument, the music, the musicians--from Mozart to modern jazz, and everything in between /
Authors: Isacoff, Stuart
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf,
Year: 2011
Subjects: Piano History; Piano music History and criticism; Pianists
Abstract: Unfolds the ongoing history and evolution of the piano and all its myriad wonders: how its very sound provides the basis for emotional expression and individual style, and why it has so powerfully entertained generation upon generation of listeners.
Contents: A gathering of traditions -- The piano is born -- The first piano superstar -- Piano fever -- Performers on the road -- The four sounds -- The combustibles -- The alchemists -- The rhythmizers -- The melodists -- The cultivated and the vernacular -- The Russians are coming -- The Germans and their close relations -- Keys to the world -- On the cutting edge -- Everything old is new again.