Duet: An Artful History of Music

by Eleanor Chan

A lush new history of music that transcends eras, borders, personalities, and genres by revealing how music is something seen, as well as heard. Classically trained musician and art historian, Eleanor Chan, takes us deep into the visual and material manifestations of music, transforming our understanding of the story of art and music. Plunging the reader into the body of a performer and the eyes of an art historian, this wonderful book explores the history of music through a series of objects, both everyday and unusual, revealing how music has always been something that we visualize. From the sumptuously illuminated manuscripts of Ethiopia and Safavid Iran to the decorated porcelain flutes of China, from Brazilian opera houses to the jazz-inspired abstract paintings by artists throughout the world, Chan opens windows onto the ways that art has been heard, and music has been seen, throughout time. From France, India, Brazil, Guyana, Iraq, Italy, Turkey, Ethiopia, Egypt and Armenia, to Greece, China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Iran, the Netherlands, Germany, Wales, Nigeria, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, An Artful History of Music reveals just how many connections and cross-pollinations there have been between art and music-making cultures over the centuries and across the globe. Music is interwoven into the fabric of our lives. We listen to it, some of us play it, but throughout history we have also attempted to capture it from the musical images of Ancient Sumer to Frozen's Elsa standing on the side of a mountain, her voice making crystals in the air. In this harmonious tale of music and art, the reader embarks on visual journey through sound. With the same wonder as Katherine Rundell’s Vanishing Creatures and the paradigm-shifting power of The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessell, this deep and winding exploration of music’s visual and material manifestations transforms our understanding of its story - to one built by communities and the every (wo)man, not just by the artists, performers, composers whose flame shines brightest.

Genres: History, Music, Nonfiction, Art, Audiobook

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2025

Reviews

[Umar Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know a lot about music or art. In fact, I probably listen to no more than 30-60 minutes of music a month, and, in some months, none at all . When I do listen to music it's primarily classical music or some hits from the last century. So, I began this book not knowing what to expect, and learned a lot. So many interesting historical figures are woven into this book by Eleanor Chan, and there is often a focus on religious traditions. I also needed Chan with me when I visited the British Museum because I have no recollection of some of the items she mentioned from my self-guided visit.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really interesting! Especially as someone coming from an art history + music performance background.

[Julian Pond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read, well researched and enlightening. However the chapters are very long and there are numerous points that could have been broken into smaller chapters or parts.