The Creation of Music

by Britian Bell

Bart dreams of being an inventor, of building something that matters. When a famous composer asks him to make an instrument that doesn't exist, an opportunity exceeding his imagination presents itself, along with it, struggle and heartache of overwhelming proportions.

When life throws its worst at him, and his decade-long vision is destroyed by his own hands, everything seems lost. But with the help of friends closer than family, his wife, Adele, and a mountain of grit, an idea becomes a reality.

Take a trip to Florence, Italy, and journey back in time to witness firsthand the creation of the most influential instrument on earth. The invention that changed the landscape of music forever. The king of all instruments. The piano.

Be sure to listen to The Creation of Music (Original Novel Soundtrack), available everywhere you listen to music!

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2024

Reviews

[Matt Milu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like a fresh out of the oven slice of bread with butter melting on it! 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

[Bronwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars: I picked this book up because I saw the review of a fellow GR friend. This is what I like about GR because I wouldn’t have heard of this book otherwise and I’m really glad I did!

This is a fictionalized story of Bartolomeo Christofori, the inventor of the pianoforte. Having both of my parents graduate from the New England Conservatory of Music, my mother as a concert pianist, and growing up with two grand pianos in my living room, it was a no-brainer to pick this book up!

What a beautiful story this was! It was about friendship, love, heartache, healing, and joy. It was also about the family you make as opposed to the family you’re born to. I absolutely loved the characters and the setting. Each chapter has a beautiful picture at the header that complements what happens. Everything was so well thought out and pieced together. I suppose my only complaint is that it was written in present tense, which I don’t care for. Other than that, it was pretty darn close to perfection! I was sad to have the story end.

The author has also composed some music to go along with the book and I’m eagerly awaiting the release on January 30! I got a taste of it when I went looking on YouTube and I want to hear more!

I would recommend this heartfelt story to any musician or lover of music. 🎼 🎶 🎵 🎹 Have some tissues handy!!

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really excited about the concept of this book. Historical fiction based on the man who invented the piano? Yes, please!
Alas, the story fell flat for me. Most of the focus was on the imagined relationship between Bartolomeo (called Bart) and his fictional wife, Adele. The piano and music felt more like a side note and not really critical to the story.
While the couple faced challenges, I found it difficult to connect with them. Sometimes it felt like the plot lacked motivation, but was instead a series of events linked together. At times, I was left with questions that were never answered. (E.g.: What was Roald's story? What did Chiara and Adele talk about?)
At other times, there was no follow-up after big events. (Why did the girl break her leg? What were the ramifications of the scandal in the paper?)
It was often hard to remember that the story took place in the 17th century, especially with modern phrasing such as "baby," "yeah, right," "nope," "whatever," "Seriously?" and "stuff". It was jarring.
I honestly would not have finished the book if I weren't writing a review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Becca Loritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5

This is an enjoyable story about Italy and the creation of the piano. However, I feel like the piano was not the forefront of the story and that's what I expected. I love having a narrative of the people and their lives but a few things were hard for me. First of all, the dialogue was just not believable (to me) as plausible for how people would have spoken in 15th century Italy. Everyone felt like a "perfect" character with always perfect resolution. All in all, I finished the book and enjoyed picturing the Italian cities and countryside. Thanks to NetGalley for this book.

[Annette Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a reader is looking for a well written book that touches each of their emotions they will find this book will! The reader will easily fall in love with the characters and the storyline. I highly recommend this book and any others written by Britian.

[Erika Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a story of positivity throughout a life of trials. The bonds of friendship and love that last a lifetime. Very uplifting.

[Hannah Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I visited Florence last year and got to see the earliest examples of the ‘new invention’ - the Piano. Being immersed in this story has really made me want to return! This experience is what tweaked my interest in ‘The Creation of Music’. This story’s timeline spans over a decade of family relationship and struggles in adapting to adversity, new cities and loss. I’m pretty ambivalent about this story. I had high hopes about learning more about the creation of the piano. In reality, this story barely covered it.

While the setting is 16th century Italy, the modern language and cursing made for a disjointed read. It kept getting confused about which time period I was in. Also, I highly doubt a young child in this time period would have had a lot of access to multiple books.

Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title and synopsis of this book grabbed my attention and I was thrilled with the opportunity to read it. As a pianist, it appealed to me even more. However, I was very disappointed. Set in the 16th century Italy, the modern language and usage of cursing did not feel authentic. There were some positive aspects though. The main character, Bartolomeo Cristofori, was well developed as well as the technical details of the piano. There was so much promise with the story. I am just unhappy that it did not deliver.

Thank you to NetGalley and Candor Publishing Group for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

[DaVay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming tale of dreams, love, heartache and more! The Creation of Music follows the struggles and triumphs of Bart and his family as he attempts to create an unknown instrument. As a historical fiction fanatic, I couldn’t put this down! Cannot wait for the release to read again!!

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted so badly to love this book. I love historical fiction, and I’ve been playing the piano for 25+ years and teaching for 10+ years.

The plot itself is incredibly interesting. Centered on the real historical figure Bartolomeo Cristofori, the novel follows his life and his journey to build the first piano. I appreciated the exploration into the mechanics of the piano, and what a groundbreaking invention this really was. But we didn’t spend enough time focusing on the piano or on “the creation of music.”

The world the author creates around Bartolomeo is realistic and relatable. The characters and the story have such promise. It is ultimately a story of love… how love can motivate and strengthen you, how love offers a soft place to land…

My struggle with the book was the writing. I sincerely doubt that a man in the late 1600s would call his wife “babe” and “baby girl.” I appreciate some modernization to the language but this is just too much. It took me out of the world created in the book! Things would happen at the end of a chapter and there would be no follow up (a broken arm, a breakthrough on the invention, pages spent on a girl worrying about telling her parents she’s been skipping school but when she finally tells them we have no resolution). In addition, the writing was simple and cliched. I truly hate to leave negative reviews, but I spent so much of this book feeling outside of it, NOT immersed in the world and the lives of these people.

Thank you to NetGalley for supplying this digital copy for review!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally blown away by this book! No one is exempt from pain in this life and sometimes it takes a lifetime to truly see what we need to see, but if you just keep believing and pushing forward it will eventually be revealed to us! I love how this book makes you feel like you are truly a part of their story! I felt as though I knew them personally and felt joy with them in their triumphs but also the sadness they experienced in their lives as well as redemptive love! Cannot wait for this authors next book!! KL

[Sydney Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Creation of Music is a must-read for anyone interested in powerful storytelling, music, and characters who feel more like friends rather than words on a page. This book explores the people behind the invention of the piano, taking a beloved instrument and giving a personal connection that isn’t easily forgotten. These characters are put to the test to create an instrument from scratch, experiencing all aspects of life along the way. An emotionally connected story, The Creation of Music will only increase the readers’ love for music and the piano.

[Bookreviewsbyalthea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triumph, tragedy, loneliness and true love wrapped up into one novel. This book will have you swooning over Adele and Barts relationship. Heartbroken for them in their loss. Angry with their reaction to this loss but happy they can make it back to each other. The Creation of Music is a novel you must add to your list. I love how it is historical fiction. Written about an individual who never had his story told. Britain Bell told the life story of the inventor of the instrument that changed the creation of music forever. I also love that there is a playlist that goes along with the novel.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Creation of Music is a powerful story about the invention of the piano and so much more!! It’s filled with different life challenges and allows you to experience the way the characters handle each one in their individual way. I enjoyed the fast paced story and the wide variety of personalities in the different characters. There are strong friendships portrayed throughout the story that challenged me to reflect on my own friendships in life. Overall it’s a great read!!

[Christine Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading authors first book”A World full of beautiful people” I couldn’t wait to pick up his next book. And I was not disappointed. An amazing story of creating not only a beautiful instrument that we still are enjoying today but more than that building a lasting love that stood the many trials adversities, heartbreaks and loss. This author is wise beyond his years with a gift that only comes from knowing the one creature. I look for him to make a great impact on this world.

[Hope N · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book thinking it would be centered on music, but it really is more of a romance story.

A lot of big important moments are time skipped throughout the book and it is hard to stay in the 1700s. A lot is told and not shown. Plus the language is too modern day, with quite a few curses too that felt unnecessary and out of place.

When thinking of this book as a dramatic romance, it is a nice quick read. It goes very in depth into grief and healing.

[Cathy Stilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed all of the characters and the loyalty of friendships ans the history. I could see myself working in the garden with the women and walking in the city. It was very encouraging....don't give up!

[Glenn Tanner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, however it was not the book it was advertised as. This was a tragic yet nice love story with the invention of the piano as a side show. This had very little to do with music, instrumentation and invention.

[Ronald G Benson]

If one is looking for a romance novel , this is good. If one is looking for insight into the development of the piano and the music related to this, it is disappointing. It is not hisstorical fiction.

[KeAndra Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a music lover I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint! I didn't want to put it down! The Creation of Music is a beautifully written story about the man who invented the piano. The story goes through the many years it took to create something that would change the sound of music forever. Through the many years it took Bart to create something so grand he deals with the ups and downs of life. In the end, what he set out to do becomes something he thought would never be a reality.
The Creation of Music is full of unexpected friendships, love, tragedy, doubt, but in the end their faith stays strong and the characters are there for each other in the worst times in their lives. This is a great read that you do not want to miss out on!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I enjoyed the premise and the characters, particularly the daughter. However, for being historical fiction, some of the more modern colloquial language used by the characters was inauthentic and kind of detracted from the overall imagery for me. I also wish there was more focus on the main character, Bart, and the piano invention. I did find it really neat to listen to the soundtrack and thought it was cool to have an auditory experience to go along with the story of the invention of the piano.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.