Piano Roles: A New History of the Piano

by James Parakilas

Book Overview

The piano puts whole worlds of musical sound at the fingertips of one player, evoking the singing of a solo voice, the textural richness of an orchestra, and the rhythmic impetus of a dance band. It... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300093063
• ISBN13: 9780300093063
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.1" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

TICKLING THOSE IVORIES ... AND DOING SUCH A GRAND JOB!

Call this one an important lesson in the key of life. To celebrate the 300th birthday of everyone's fave instrument, author James Parakilas has written a book at once awesome and astounding, a stunning cultural history, told in vivid detail and ample anecdotes and stunning color photographs, of the musical and social roles that the piano has played in its long and amazing career. (It became so popular, for instance, as the result of not just ingenious mechanical design but also ingenious marketing.) An important book whether your tastes run to Beatles or Berlin, Liszt or Liberace. Tickle on!

A delightful, lively, entertaining history.

Three hundred years of piano history are presented in a fine book which considers the place of the piano in classical and popular music alike. From the design, manufacturing and styles of the piano to the individuals who made their mark in music history with the piano, this includes a delightful range of color drawings and illustrations along with a lively history certain to delight any avid fan of the instrument.