Musical Notation in the West

A detailed critical and historical investigation of the development of musical notation as a powerful system of symbolic communication.

List of contents

List of figures; List of tables; List of musical examples; Preface; 1. Introduction: musical notation as a symbolic language; 2. Plainsong and the origins of musical notation in the west; 3. Polyphony and rhythmic notation; 4. The transition to the modern era: instrumental music and performing indications; 5. Notational nuance in the twentieth century, and the motives for notational innovation; Bibliography.

About the author

James Grier is Professor of Music History at the University of Western Ontario and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He has written The Critical Editing of Music (Cambridge, 1996; Spanish translation 2008), and three books on the music of Adémar de Chabannes, eleventh-century Aquitanian monk.

Summary

Over the last millennium, musical notation has become a powerful system of symbolic, non-verbal communication among musicians that permits the translation of musical events into visual symbols. This book traces the historical development of the system in the western world, from its origins in the Carolingian Empire to the present.

Product details

• Authors: James Grier, James (University of Western Ontario) Grier, Grier James
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 28.02.2021
• EAN: 9780521726429
• ISBN: 978-0-521-72642-9
• No. of pages: 284
• Series: Cambridge Introductions to Music; Cambridge Introductions to Mus
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Music > General, dictionaries; 20th Century, MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Classical, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Renaissance style, 20th Century & Contemporary Classical Music, Art music, orchestral and formal music, Medieval & Renaissance music (c 1000 to c 1600), Medieval style