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The History of Classical Music |
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A Pathfinderby Marilyn Smith, Librarian |
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This pathfinder is a guide to resources for the layperson on the history of classical music from Gregorian chant—the first written music of the Western world in the Middle Ages—to the present. For this purpose, classical music is defined as Western “art music” and does not include traditional or folk music, jazz, rock or other forms of popular music.
Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
Books
Magazines
Databases
Websites
Program & Events
Local Resources
Associations
The Billboard Encyclopedia of Classical Music, edited by Stanley Sadie, Billboard Books, 2004.
(780.3 BIL)
This encyclopedia is organized chronologically by musical era. Each chapter features an introduction to the period, its key composers and other personalities, musical styles, forms and instruments, as well as a listening guide.
Milton Cross' Encyclopedia of the Great Composers and Their Music by Milton John Cross, Doubleday, 1962.
(780.92 CRO)
The first section of this encyclopedia contains 78 chapters on the composers who have contributed the most to the history of music. Other sections are devoted to a brief history of music, a list of basic works for collectors and the anatomy of musical forms.
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. New York: Grove, 2001.
(780.3 NEW)
This 29-volume set is the updated edition of the most comprehensive, substantive encyclopedia of music. The 1980 edition is more widely available.
Here are some useful Subject Headings to search for materials:
The following subject headings will generate a search in the OCPL catalog:
Composers
Music Appreciation
Music -- History and criticism
Music -- 500-1400 -- History and criticism
Music -- 15th century -- History and criticism
Music -- 16th century -- History and criticism
Music -- 17th century -- History and criticism
Music -- 18th century -- History and criticism
Music -- 19th century -- History and criticism
Music -- 20th century -- History and criticism
Music -- Chronology
Books
Listed below are a few recommended books from the Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) collection that provide a good introduction to the history and appreciation of classical music. The OCPL collection includes many other general works on classical music, as well as books on specific composers or genres. See the SUBJECT HEADINGS section to search for additional titles in the OCPL catalog.
Classical Music for Dummies by David Pogue and Scott Speck
IDG Books Worldwide, 1997.
(780.9 POG)
The first part of this book introduces the reader to classical music, including a chapter on “The Entire History of Music in 80 Pages.” Other sections cover the concert experience, instruments of the orchestra, components of music and starting a classical music collection. The enclosed CD introduces different styles and time periods.
Classical Music Without Fear: A Guide for General Audiences by Marianne Williams Tobias
Indiana University Press, 2003.
(781.68 TOB)
Major historical periods of classical music (i.e., Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionism and 20th Century) are covered in a chapter entitled, “The Time Zones.” Other chapters explain what to expect at a concert and how to read music. A classical music sampler with tips for compiling a CD collection is included.
The History of Classical Music by Richard Fawkes
Naxos Audiobooks, 1997.
(CD 780.9 FAW)
This audiobook on CD covers the history of classical music from Gregorian chant through the 20th century. Many musical expressions, such as polyphony, sonata form and serial music are explained. Excerpts from many highly praised recordings illustrate the text.
A History of Western Music by Donald Jay Grout and Claude V. Palisca
Norton, 1996.
(780.9 GRO)
This classic text surveys Western music from Ancient Greece and Rome through the 20th century. Not for the casual browser, this book is unequaled in the depth and authority of its coverage. A glossary is included.
The NPR Curious Listener’s Guide to Classical Music by Tim Smith
Perigee, 2002.
(781.68 SMI)
A chapter entitled, “The Story of Classical Music,” provides a brief history from the Dark Ages through the early 21st century. Other chapters address varieties of classical music, the elements of classical music, composers, performers and compositions. A suggested core collection of classical music on CD and a glossary are also included.
The Symphony (The Great Courses) by Robert Greenberg
The Teaching Company, 2004.
(CD 784.18 GRE)
This 24-lecture course on CD traces the development of the symphony from its roots in the opera of the Baroque period to the present. Three guidebooks accompany the set.
A Young Person’s Guide to Music by Neil Ardley
Dorling Kindersley, 2004.
(J 780 ARD)
Part Two of this guide for young people tells the story of classical music from the earliest times to today. It contains timelines, an A-Z of composers, a section on musical forms and a glossary. The book also describes the orchestra, the roles of the conductor and composer and musical instruments.
BBC Music Magazine [available at Petit Branch, or Onondaga Free Library]
Also available in online format.
Contains feature articles on performers, composers, historical events and more, as well as CD, DVD and book reviews. Visit the BBC Music Magazine online to subscribe.
The Gramophone [available at Central Library, or Manlius Library]
Also available in online format.
Includes feature articles, news, events listings and reviews of CDs, DVDs, books and audio equipment.
Visit The Gramophone online to subscribe.
For articles about classical music, see OCPL’s Online Databases. Here you can access magazine and journal articles, newspapers, and reference books 24 hours a day using your OCPL library card.
For in-library use of the online databases, please see a librarian.
For the serious researcher, the journals below are indexed in the InfoTrac and Galenet databases available through OCPL. You will need a valid OCPL library card to access these databases.
The General Reference Center Gold database indexes:
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Notes (Database includes full text.)
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Musical Quarterly (Database includes abstracts only.)
The Academic ASAP database indexes:
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Musical Quarterly (Database includes abstracts only.)
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The Journal of the American Musicological Society (Database includes full text.)
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Current Musicology (Database includes abstracts only.)
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The Journal of Musicology (Database includes abstracts only.)
The Classical Music Pages
This web site provides a wealth of information about classical music, including history, composers, explanations of the various musical forms and musical terminology. It is designed to be of use for everyone from the beginner to the music professional.
Classical.Net - Classical Music Informational Sites
This directory provides links to web sites on classical music, organized by topic. A searchable index is included.
Essentials of Music
This web site, produced by Sony Classical, includes overviews of the main periods of music history, composer biographies, a glossary and listening excerpts.
Music History 102
This Internet Public Library guide to the history of Western music from the Middle Ages to the present is organized according to the historical eras. Audio examples are included.
Music Resources on the World Wide Web
This web site, produced by the Yale University Music Library, contains a comprehensive list of music resources on the Web, organized by subject.
Musical History - Useful Internet Links for Research
Designed for middle school students, this resource, produced by the Cedartown (Georgia) Middle School, contains useful Internet links for research.
Yahoo! Entertainment Directory - Classical Music - History
This directory provides links to web sites about the history of classical music, further subdivided by periods and styles.
Your increased knowledge of the history of classical music may lead to greater enjoyment of classical music concerts offered locally by such institutions as:
The Syracuse University Library Music Subject Guide is a guide to music resources available at the Syracuse University Library and on the World Wide Web.
The University of Washington Libraries provides a comprehensive Directory to Musical Organizations, Societies and Clubs on the Web. Some organizations of particular interest include: