(Robert Philip, YUP)

The problem with most, if not all subjects is that topics tend to be divorced from their history and influences. One stipulation of the Music Programme of Study is that students ‘develop a deepening understanding of the music that they perform and to which they listen, and its history’. Covering a huge array of types of music and associated aspects across cultures and time periods, this book provides both depth and breadth.

For instance, the historical development of the keyboard, musical notation and different types of music may be found here. Crucially, however, there is discussion of the cultural influences at work to explain how such changes came about.

A broad sweep like this will inevitably overlook some aspects, and the lightness of tone might not appeal to academics – but as a reference source and exposition of the connections between genres, it could hardly be bettered.

This review was first published in Teach Secondary magazine.

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