When F. E. Kirby published A Short History of Keyboard Music in 1966, scholars and keyboard players welcomed it as the first detailed historical interpretation of music for organ, harpsichord, clavichord, and piano. In this book, which is comparable in length but substantially different in content, Kirby focuses on music for the piano "in the fine-art or classical tradition", providing an in-depth survey of music for piano solo, and including discussions of important compositions for piano duet and two pianos. Beginning with early types of keyboard music that influenced the first music for the instrument in the seventeenth century, and ending with the bold, iconoclastic works of the late twentieth century, Kirby provides a scholarly yet readable overview of the literature, drawing on the results of the most recent research. Concerned with the historical context of the works, the author traces the development of the composers' styles in light of the times in which they lived. With an emphasis on principal composers and important compositions, the book is an excellent introduction for anyone interested in the development of the great repertoire of piano music. Incorporating an extensive topical bibliography of more than 1100 sources for further reading - likely the largest ever compiled - and illustrated throughout with music examples, this volume is indispensable to students and teachers at both the graduate and advanced undergraduate levels, music historians, and anyone interested in music literature.
This historical survey focuses on music for piano solo but also includes important compositions for piano duet and two pianos. Scholarly yet readable, it covers the entire repertoire from the Renaissance to the late 20th century and incorporates a bibliography of 1 100 sources for further study.