Books - Music History Texts - Music Research - General - Library Guides at University of Denver

From the DU Online Course Descriptions

MUAC 2051

Music history is not simply "stuff to memorize," but is instead a rich and varied field that asks important questions regarding how we think about and perform music. This course is designed to explore many of the critical questions, critical skills, and critical disciplines that inform an intellectually engaging study of music history. The course provides a rigorous background for the following five quarters of the Music History survey, which investigate Western art music from the medieval period through the present, with an emphasis on the analysis of music and its relationship to society and the other arts.

MUAC 2052 Medieval and Renaissance Music

Second quarter of the six-quarter music history survey. Two-year long course surveying history and literature of music with an emphasis on critical reading, listening, and writing, this course focuses on the music of the Medieval and Renaissance periods.

MUAC 2053 Baroque Music

The history of Western art music from the Baroque era, with an emphasis on analysis of the masterpieces of tonal music and their relationship to society and the other arts.

MUAC 2054 Classical Music

The history of Western art music from approximately 1730 through 1820, with an emphasis on analysis of the masterpieces of tonal music and their relationship to society and the other arts.

MUAC 2055 Romantic Music

The history of Western art music from approximately 1830 through 1890, with an emphasis on analysis of the masterpieces of tonal music and their relationship to society and the other arts.

MUAC 2056 Modern Music

The history of Western art music from approximately 1890 through the present, with an emphasis on analysis of music and its relationship to society and the other arts.

Books - Really Basic Texts for Music History

A History of Western Music by Burkholder, Grout, Palisca
Call Number: ML 160 .G872 2010
ISBN: 0393931250
This book is intended for undergraduate music students and, since its first edition, has become the standard music history text at most universities in North America. Although it reads like an encyclopedia, it is a great source, nonetheless. Copious score and pictorial illustrations are included, as well as a chronology of musical and historical events, glossary of terms, and an annotated bibliography for further reading. It assumes an elementary knowledge of harmony and musical terms, so it really is NOT for beginners. The most recent edition is in Music Reserve.

Behold: below are the standard general music history and theory texts commonly used or referred to around Lamont.

Norton Anthology of Western Music, 6th ed. by Burkholder, Palisca
Call Number: MT91 .N67 2010
ISBN: 0393931269
This is the anthology that accompanies A History of Western Music. Around DU, they are referred to as "NAWM" (pronounced "NOWMM") Vol. 1 covers Ancient through Baroque music. Vol. 2 covers Classical and Romantic works. Each score example has a textual introduction.
There are accompanying CDs to these anthologies - yes, the NAWM CDs. Everything is housed in Music Reserve under call number.
Music in the Western World: A history in Documents by Weiss and Taruskin
Call Number: ML160 .M865 2007
ISBN: 053458599X
This is a collection of source readings arranged chronologically, intended for undergraduate students in music history. Each source reading has an introduction establishing historical context. Happily for you, this book also includes a glossary and an index of names, works, and subjects. Aren't you glad?
Study and Listening Guide by Burkholder, Grout, Palisca
Call Number: MT 6 .B87 S7 2010
ISBN: 0393932591
The purpose of this study guide is to be a supplement to the lectures and materials presented in your undergraduate music history sequence. Even though it makes reference to the book, A History of Western Music (see above), the material presented is basic to any undergraduate music history class and can be helpful to you in your courses here at DU.