A History of Keyboard Literature: Music for the Piano and Its Forerunners

Rating:
Summary: The Key to Keyboard Literature
Review: Gordon's "History of Keyboard Literature" sits next to Grout/Palisca's "History of Western Music" on my shelf. As a student studying piano and a future educator, I have found the book to be a great resource. One who sits at the either the piano, organ, or harpsichord must be familiar with the vast history and repertoire written for keyboard instruments. The book is organized chronilogically. It begins with a very satisfying history of the development and construction of early keyboard instruments as well as a thourough overview of the role of the keyboard up to the end of the Renaissance. After this it takes a composer by composer approach chronilogically starting with Bach and Handel. Published in 1996, this book is very up to date and provides many names, especially twentieth century composers. Like any history book, this is not the final word on the subject of keyboard music, but it is an excellent first stop for whatever research one is up to. A must for any pianists shelf.