A new history of the organ from the Greeks to the present day / Peter Williams.

Author/creator Williams, Peter
Format Book
Publication InfoBloomington : Indiana University Press, ©1980.
Description233 pages, 24 leaves of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm
Subjects
Organ (Musical instrument)--History.

Contents The word 'organ' -- The Greek and Roman organ -- The Byzantine and Arabic organ -- The early church organ in the west -- The medieval church organ -- The late medieval positive and portative -- The treatise of Henri Arnaut de Zwolle -- Developments in the later fifteenth century -- Arnold Schlick and his Spiegel der Orgelmacher -- Developments in the sixteenth century -- Some structures and mechanisms before 1600 -- Organs built according to the Werkprinzip -- The French classical organ -- The organ of J.S. Bach -- The Spanish Baroque organ -- The Italian Baroque organ -- The English organ before 1800 -- Some masterpieces of the northern European organ, 1640-1800 -- The background to organs in 1800 -- Aspects of nineteenth-century organ technology -- Contributions to the nadir of 1890-1930 -- Early indications of an organ revival -- The Orgelbewegung and its aftermath in Germany -- The organ revival in Scandinavia, Holland, the U.S.A., England, France and Italy -- The present and the immediate future.
Abstract Most books dealing with the history of the organ have confined themselves to a single period, area, or even country. This invaluable new work is the first complete survey of the organ ever to have been made in any language. The author firmly bases his interpretations and judgment on extant documents whenever possible, on his practical experience in playing organs all over Europe, and on his close examination of a great variety of instruments at different stages of restoration or transformation. Eight chapters are devoted to the early period and four to the Renaissance. Then individual chapters consider the French classical organ, the organ of Bach, the Spanish baroque organ, the Italian baroque organ, the English organ before 1800, and the northern European organ. The final eight chapters discuss developments in the 19th and 20th centuries. Supplementing the text are a glossary and plates illustrating a full range of organs that are typical of their kind. The eminent English musicologist, organist, and harpsichordist, Peter (Fredric) Williams ranks among the foremost authorities on the organ.
Local noteLittle-230989 - $27.50
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographies and indexes.
LCCN 79002176
ISBN0253157048

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Music Music Stacks ML550 .W38 1980 ✔ Available Place Hold
Music Closed Stacks - Ask at Circulation Desk ML550.W38 N4 ✔ Available Place Hold