The object of this work is to present, as the title states, the essential facts in the history of music. To the text, which aims to accomplish this, illustrations have been added that are intimately related to the subject-matter of the chapters in which they appear.
It is hoped that the book will appeal to the music-lover as a simple and naturally consecutive recital of the growth of the art of music as one distinct manifestation of the development of human thought. But it is also intended that the volume shall interest and benefit the student. For the purposes of individual or classroom instruction the book will be found to provide sufficient material for one year’s work. When time and opportunity permit of collateral reading and research, suitable texts may be selected from the lists given in Chapter XLII (page 329 et seq.)
A bibliography of the subject of music history and its collaterals (aesthetics, biography, and criticism) will be found in Chapter XLII. This list of titles constitutes a practical basis for the formation of a private or school library. For the excellence of this list, and the privilege of including it in this volume, the authors are indebted to Mr. Frank H. Marling, of New York City.
In Chapter XLIII there will be found selected examination papers in music history set by various schools and colleges. These will provide the student with the best evidence as to the requirements in such tests. They may also be taken as models for the preparation of original examination papers.
In the preparation of this work the authors have enjoyed access to authoritative sources in English, French, and German, and are particularly indebted to the following authorities:
Geschichte der Musik of A. W. Ambros, A. von Dommer, Franz Brendel, Emil Naumann, August Reissmann. John Hawkins, General History of Music. Charles Burney, General History of Music. W. J. von Wasielewski, Geschichte der Instrumentalmusik im 16. Jahrhundert. F. J. Fétis, Biographie universelle des musiciens. Gustav Schilling, Universal Lexicon der Tonkunst. Carl Engel, Music of the Most Ancient Nations and Musical Instruments. Sir George Grove, Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Oscar Bie, Das Klavier und sein Meister. J. B. Weckerlin, Les Chansons populaires du pays de France. Dr. A. Möhler, Geschichte der alten und mittelalterischen Musik. Hermann Ritter, Allgemeine Encyklopädie der Musik Geschichte.
New York,
September, 1914.