The Piano

The Piano: An Encyclopedia was selected in its first edition as a Choice Outstanding Book and remains a fascinating and unparalleled reference work. The instrument has been at the centre of music history, with even composers of large symphonic works asserting that they do not write anything without sketching it out first on a piano; its limitations and expressive capacity have done much to shape the contours of the Western musical idiom. Within the scope of this user-friendly guide is everything from the acoustics and construction of the piano to the history of the companies that have built them. The piano lover might also be surprised to find an entry for Thomas Jefferson, and will no doubt read intently the passages about the changing history of the piano's place in the home. Uniformly well written and authoritative, this guide will channel anyone's love for the instrument, through social, intellectual, art history and beyond into the electronic age. The piano celebrated its 300 birthday in the year 2000 and to help mark this event Routledge's much lauded Encyclopedia--the first edition was selected as a Choice Outstanding Book--has been thoroughly revised, updated and expanded to include new technological advances, scholarship and bibliographic information. This unique reference work will fill the needs of every reader: u Performers who have an interest in the history, evolution, and technical aspects of their instrument u Amateurs seeking answers to questions about pianos, concerts, and how musicians and composers have related to their instruments u Teachers looking for a reliable reference to insure that they can find complete information on pianos, composers, and the latest technology u Researchers who need a quick, readily accessible desk-top reference Praise for the First Edition: "Comprehensive in scope ...Beautifully printed and bound, this should be considered an essential purchase for all academic and large public libraries." "Offers performers, scholars, teachers, and general readers alike an accessible look at this beloved instrument...highly recommended addition to all academic and community library music reference collections. " "Interesting, informative and well-written."-- Galpin Society Journal "A comprehensive, informative, and indispensable work."-- Billy Joel Derek Adlam, UK; David Anderson, Hiram College, USA; Robert Andres, University of Kansas, USA; Ben Arnold, Emory University, USA; Eva Badura-Skoda, Austria; Peggy Flanagan Baird, USA; Daniel Barber, C