Music for Piano: A Short History (Spie Proceedings Series; 2639)
Rejoice, all who have hoped for a revised, rewritten, expanded version of F.E. Kirby's narrative Short History of Keyboard Music (Schirmer, 1966). Kirby's new book omits material on organ and harpsichord music, edits and updates the older title's piano chapters significantly, and adds more music by women and black composers (though saying "it is evident" that Clara Shumann gave up composing to "meet the needs of her family" reveals a shallow spot in his new research). With improved style but unchanging devotion, Kirby provides piano-lovers with a solid introductory source for understanding historical developments of style in part of the western art-music tradition. The selective bibliography is outstanding. Useful as a college text and highly recommended to public libraries.?Bonnie Jo Dopp, Montgomery Cty. P.L., Rockville, Md.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.