The History of Music in Fifty Instruments

by Philip Wilkinson

The 400-year story of music told by the instruments that make an orchestra. The History of Music in 50 Instruments outlines musical history in well-written nuggets of information. Profiling one instrument at a time, it describes the history of music since the 1700s, when orchestras first took the formal shape familiar to us. The concise text explains the role of each instrument in the orchestra and its importance in the development of music in general. The book lists the 50 instruments chronologically in the woodwind, brass, percussion and string sections of an orchestra. The classic instruments are included -- violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, harp and more. Some instruments reflect the musical period or context in which they were most popular, such as the harpsichord in the Baroque period, and the snare drum in military parades. Among the unusual instruments is the otherworldly theremin. A wide range of modern and archival photographs and paintings show the instruments. Entries outline their historical and country origins and the era in which they were played (e.g. Classical, Modern). Annotated illustrations explain the instrument's construction, how it is played and tuned, and its musical range. Composers, musical compositions and musicians that highlight the particular instrument are examined. For example, Baroque composer Antonio Vivalidi's contribution to the violin; inventor Adolphe Sax's tenacious promotion of his saxophone in the 1840s; and 20th century pianist Glenn Gould's controversial recordings of Bach's Goldberg Variations. For musicians, teachers and students, and all who enjoy music, this book is a beautiful and informative tour of the orchestra and beyond.

Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2014

About the author

Philip Wilkinson (born 1955) is the author of non-fiction books for children and adults. He was educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He worked as an editor prior to becoming an author.

He specializes in works on history, the arts, religion, and architecture and has written over forty titles.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uneven and pitched somewhere between "music historian" and "layperson". There are many references to pieces not often played in now (i.e. Beethoven's "Wellington's Victory) and I had to stop reading to google to find music clips. The cello article notes well-known 20th century cellist Mstislav Rostropovitch but makes no mention of Yo-yo Ma. The book is heavily weighted toward classical music with occasional nods to jazz.

This is a book that is ripe for "enhanced ebook" status or should be marketed with an accompanying CD set or track list. Not recommended for the average person curious about the history of music. Dull.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The History of Music in Fifty Instruments by Phillip Wilkinson (Firefly Books 2014) (784.19). This book begins with the first instruments mankind created and played, and it covers any changes made to the instruments over time. This book is full of instruments that I know (violin, piccolo, French Horn) and many that I did not (Glass Armonica, Serpent, Barylon, Celesta, and Heckelphone). It's a worthwhile read for the curator or the curious. My rating: 7/10, finished 3/23/15.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly as promised as promised. It wonderfully narrates the story and history of music through the years with various instruments. However, one thing can be apparent from the title: the book covers “fifty instruments” and makes for a shorter read. I feel as though the author could have put more time and expanded on this topic to cover many more fantastic and revolutionary instruments that were excluded from this book. Nevertheless, it’s still a good non-fiction read and worth your time!

[Annabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting enough diversion when reading about the instruments you either play or are familiar with. So the origins of the piano, the harpsichord, the pipe organ, also known as the harmonium, proved interesting. I just wasn't too keen on most of the other instruments.

[Chris Webber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels, smells, looks like an encyclopedia. A few interesting tidbits but overall rather dry.

[Agustina Adine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good book to introduce people about instruments, even the most unheard that I never knew myself (Serpent), the layout is pretty and interesting, definitely would re read this again

[Neil Steinwand · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title would be better “The History of Music in Fifty Instruments (with a Classical Orchestra focus)

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much of a history of music, more like the history of the orchestra plus some ethnic instruments, enlightening but disappointing

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically, this book gives the history of Western classical music and the development of the major (and a few minor) orchestral and chamber instruments. I found this book very informative; it included a few instruments I hadn't heard of before and how each instrument tended to be utilized in orchestras or ensembles. I also appreciated that Wilkinson would list pieces of music that featured particular instruments and/or virtuosos who made certain instruments popular. This all being said, I found this book to be dry at times, particularly when going into engineering details. Toward the end, I was having to make myself finish. I would recommend this book as reference more than as a cover-to-cover read.

[Sharla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be rather dry; I could just not find it interesting. The fifty instruments chosen are arranged in chronological order of invention, which means that the book seems to have no continuity. Perhaps arranging the instruments according to family (woodwinds, brass, etc.) would have allowed for a better explanation of how different instruments developed. The editing was poor ("symbol" instead of "cymbal," for example). Overall, this book was disappointing.

[Ms W · Rating 2 out of 5]

MsW: OK, to say I 'read' it is a stretch, I sort of paged through and read some parts more closely than others. Who knew hand cymbals would play a significant role in the constitution of an orchestra? This author also wrote books tracing the importance of "50 Weapons" and "50 Machines", I'll be looking in to them also, really interesting.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A timeline of musical instruments and their development and use. Most are familiar but there are a few oddities such as the glass armonica and baryton. It is by no means exhaustive but an interesting presentation of musical history.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book about musical instruments!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book to read straight through. A reference book with some interesting tidbits. Not for the serious music major, but fun none the less. I purchase a used copy and have it sitting around for a quick glance now and then.