A History of Musical Style

by Richard L. Crocker

This highly regarded text by noted musicologist Richard Crocker takes a much-needed fresh look at the subject and attempts to reshape some basic ideas in the light of modern research. Seeking the reasons for stylistic change within the history of style itself (rather than in the history of men or ideas), this enlightening account shows how music, growing out of its own past, has shaped its own development.

Professor Crocker's exceptionally clear and systematic presentation enables students to easily follow the evolution of Western musical style from Gregorian Chant to the atonal music of the mid-twentieth century. The book stresses the continuity of basic musical principles over long periods of history, while it explores in detail moments of high stylistic achievement and the composers who exemplified them.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

1073 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a survey of classical music styles from 700 (Gregorian Chant) to the 1960s (serialism).

As a somewhat educated layperson, I was hoping to use this book to widen my exposure to the repertoire and also get a better idea of the repertoire I already know, and this book really delivered. The exploration of Renaissance music and earlier is really top-notch, and I also got a lot out of the Romantic era discussion.

Of course I had my points of disagreement with Crocker (I think he under-values the high baroque), but I think that's going to be inevitable in a book this sweeping. One other quibble I had is that he avoids talking about sonata form, instead only talking about rounded binary form.

Worth reading for anyone interested in the subject who already has some amount of knowledge (the book assumes you know about cadences, modulations, and that sort of thing).

[John W Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated, but in this age of well rehearsed outrage that implies a return to integrity.

[Vasile · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reference