Concise History of Western Music

by Barbara Russano Hanning

Book Overview

Based on the classic A History of Western Music by J. Peter Burkholder, Donald J. Grout, and Claude V. Palisca, Concise History of Western Music provides authoritative coverage of the essential works and genres in Western music history. The Third Edition has been meticulously revised and reorganized to provide a more streamlined narrative that emphasizes a core repertory, social and historical context, and performance practice. This comprehensive...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393971686
• ISBN13: 9780393971682
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 585 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 7.3" x 10.4"

Customer Reviews

Concise History of Western Music, 4e (2010)

This is an excellent music text for junior college use. The content is a reworking of Grout's original groundbreaking research, as presented in the eighth edition of A HISTORY OF WESTERN MUSIC (2010). Hanning's treatment of key ideas, facts, composers, musical examples, cultural influences, is grand. Students, likewise, can tap into online assistance--study guides, chapter outlines, streamed musical examples, and so forth--in the publisher's Study Space at Norton's web site. In all, the cost and additional aids adds up to a great bargin and lots of musical insight in the offing.

Good deal

This book was in perfect condition. A very good deal for my college class, although it didn't come with the cd's, which was expected. BUT i just borrowed the cd's from one of my classmates and ripped them onto my computer. Much cheaper that way. I saved about 100 dollars!!! :D

Student of Music History

I recommend this book to professors and students for its clarity, conciseness and simplicity. Russano-Hanning's "Concise History of Western Music" serves well as a stimulus to inspire questions, discussion, and interactive teaching which ultimately leads to the best learning. Her books on Music History convey that music is not and has not been created in a vacuum but is a reflection of the cultural ambience and events of society. She teaches that music reflects philosophy and politics, that it mingles with art, literature, and sciences, and that music expresses the biology, environment and relationships of the composers. Barbara Russano-Hanning is one of the most intelligent professors at The City College of New York and certainly the best in Music. I have taken several of her classes and her teaching inspired me to make Music History a focus of study for a great understanding of life and the world in general. Don't expect all the answers about music in one book but expect to be very inspired to seek more and more knowledge about music as an expression of life. I highly recommend this professor's books and lectures.

Makes teaching Western Music Culture an excellent experience

I have been using Hanning's Concise History Vol. 2 in my Music History classes. I have found it an excellent tool. She uses standard excerpts often throughout the text with original manuscript citings and easily understood analyses. Each of the chapters begins with an excellent overview and ends with a review. Both are a strong broad cross section of historic context. Excellent period artwork in full color is included. The teachers manual gives a good overview and can be used in class to teach from. The quizzes are appropriate and emphasize material that is most significant to each chapter. If I were to write a manual I would want to include what she has. The anthology, CD and print, are well done and affordable. I have found the recordings she uses to be excellent in quality and fitting to each of the periods. I have struggles with this in other publisher's works especially with regard to the price. My students have told me they listen to these CDs long after the class has ended. I do wish there was more from the current period, especially with regard for Rock, Pop and Contemporary Christian Music Culture. That said I think Hanning has done an exceptional job in capturing a concise history of western music culture.

This book is a lifesaver!

Upon given one of the most difficult to read textbooks for a music history class, I found this book to be a true lifesaver! This book is very concise, well-written, and very presentable. The format of every page is presented in such a way that it captures the eye. I love this book!