Publisher's Weekly Review
In this pedantic survey, composer Goodall ploddingly chronicles the innovations and inventions that have shaped the development of music (though classical music is the main focus). He presents some interesting facts-for example, the oldest list of musical instruments dates from 2600 BCE and a Mesopotamian clay tablet that lists various instruments, including the lyre, and provides instruction on playing a lute. In the Middle Ages, Guido of Arezzo came up with a method of notation to aid his choristers in singing songs, and Hildegard of Bingen "added ornamentation and melodic detail outside of the strict confines of standard method" as she composed her own chant tunes. He points out that by 1500 all the main families of musical instruments existed, and he traces briefly the ways that Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Wagner, Schoenberg, Philip Glass, and Steve Reich, among others, influenced the development of music. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
British composer Goodall (composer in residence, Classic FM, UK; Every Purpose Under the Heaven oratorio) tries his hand at popular music history with this volume. His focus on the Western classical tradition and popular music is understandable given his evident desire for brevity, but his rationale is curious and unsupported by his text. For instance, he frequently compares Western innovations to those of India and China while insisting that these innovations are unique. Goodall's musical knowledge is much in evidence and to be expected, given his substantial composing career; however, his historical notes (such as referring to the people of the Renaissance as "cruel, barbaric monsters" whose sole redeeming characteristic was their artistic endeavors) are frequently baffling. This reviewer found the musical analysis, while well informed, difficult to follow, and this with the aid of a degree in music. It is hard to see how the lay reader for whom this book is clearly intended would fare with the same content. For a thoughtful, close study of the interaction of music, human creativity, and civilization, David Byrne's How Music Works would be a better choice. VERDICT An interesting endeavor that falls short. For music listeners interested in Western classical and popular music.-Genevieve Williams, Pacific Lutheran Univ. Lib., Tacoma, WA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
