Ideas and Styles in the Western Musical Tradition

by Douglass Seaton

Ideas and Styles in the Western Musical Tradition, Fourth Edition, explores the conceptual frameworks that have shaped musical development from antiquity to the present. In a lively narrative that prompts readers to think both critically and creatively, Douglass Seaton uses historical documents from thinkers, artists, and musicians to add rich detail to the compelling story of Western music. This brief and accessible narrative of music history features numerous works of art, literature, and music that immerse students in the historical and intellectual contexts of musical styles.

The thoroughly updated and revised fourth edition offers:

- New pedagogy including chapter-opening summaries and outlines; marginal cues to identify key ideas in each paragraph; and extended excerpts from key historical texts
- Increased and balanced coverage of women's roles in music history, ranging from discussions of key composers and performers like Isabella d'Este and Fanny Hensel to women's important roles as patrons
- A custom score anthology drawn from the Oxford History of Western Music offers students full scores and analysis for key works from the text
- A more user-friendly design makes it easier for students to quickly locate key information
- Updates to the narrative throughout, including the most recent research findings along with updates to the reception of key works

Genres: Music, Textbooks

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1991

Reviews

[Janaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, as this was my music history textbook, I have read every last page of this thing. Am I wiser and more knowledgable as a result? Only time will tell... although I do now know that Beethoven liked soup. Whether that was something my Professor said or this book said, I cannot recall. But Beethoven most certainly enjoyed soup.

[Brent Pinkall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seaton does a good job balancing scholarship and accessibility. This book is heavily researched and the scholarship comes through, yet it is written simply and clearly for the average reader. If you want a concise yet relatively comprehensive survey of the western musical tradition this book will provide you with one.

[Lisa]

Ideas and Styles in the Western Musical Tradition by Douglass Seaton (1991)

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan. Appreciate the frequent quotation of primary source stuff, though.

[Javier Márquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to finish this book... I kept putting it away.. but I always knew I needed to come back to it. And it was totally worth it! It offers a great overview of Wester art music.