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A Natural History of the Piano: The Instrument, the Music, the Musicians from Mozart to Modern Jazz and Everything in Between,New
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A beautifully illustrated, totally engrossing celebration of the piano, and the composers and performers who have made it their own.With honed sensitivity and unquestioned expertise, Stuart Isacoffpianist, critic, teacher, and author of Temperament: How Music Became a Battleground for the Great Minds of Western Civilizationunfolds the ongoing history and evolution of the piano and all its myriad wonders: how its very sound provides the basis for emotional expression and individual style, and why it has so powerfully entertained generation upon generation of listeners. He illuminates the groundbreaking music of Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Schumann, and Debussy. He analyzes the breathtaking techniques of Glenn Gould, Oscar Peterson, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Arthur Rubinstein, and Van Cliburn, and he gives musicians including Alfred Brendel, Murray Perahia, Menahem Pressler, and Vladimir Horowitz the opportunity to discuss their approaches. Isacoff delineates how classical music and jazz influenced each other as the uniquely American art form progressed from ragtime, novelty, stride, boogie, bebop, and beyond, through Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Cecil Taylor, and Bill Charlap.A Natural History of the Piano distills a lifetime of research and passion into one brilliant narrative. We witness Mozart unveiling his monumental concertos in Viennas coffeehouses, using a special piano with one keyboard for the hands and another for the feet; European virtuoso Henri Herz entertaining rowdy miners during the California gold rush; Beethoven at his piano, conjuring healing angels to console a grieving mother who had lost her child; Liszt fainting in the arms of a page turner to spark an entire hall into hysterics. Here is the instrument in all its complexity and beauty. We learn of the incredible craftsmanship of a modern Steinway, the peculiarity of specialty pianos built for the Victorian household, the continuing innovation in keyboards including electronic ones. And most of all, we hear the music of the masters, from centuries ago and in our own age, brilliantly evoked and as marvelous as its most recent performance.With this wideranging volume, Isacoff gives us a musthave for music lovers, pianists, and the armchair musician.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main focus of 'A Natural History of the Piano'? A: 'A Natural History of the Piano' explores the evolution and significance of the piano throughout history, highlighting its impact on music and the contributions of renowned composers and performers.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'A Natural History of the Piano' is Stuart Isacoff, who is a pianist, critic, teacher, and an established author.
- Q: What topics are covered in the book? A: The book covers various topics including the history of the piano, its craftsmanship, notable composers such as Mozart and Beethoven, the relationship between classical music and jazz, and significant performances throughout history.
- Q: What is the format of the book? A: 'A Natural History of the Piano' is available in a hardcover format and consists of 384 pages.
- Q: Is this book suitable for music lovers? A: Yes, the book is a must-have for music lovers, pianists, and anyone interested in the history and evolution of the piano.
- Q: What is the publication date of this book? A: 'A Natural History of the Piano' was published on November 15, 2011.
- Q: Does the book include illustrations? A: Yes, the book is beautifully illustrated, enhancing the reader's experience and understanding of the piano's history.
- Q: What is the condition of the book when purchased? A: The book is listed as being in 'Good' condition.
- Q: Is there a specific edition of the book? A: Yes, this is the First Edition of 'A Natural History of the Piano'.
- Q: How are orders dispatched? A: Orders for this book are dispatched from the UK warehouse the next working day.