Book Description

"The inspiration and need for an organized, comprehensive introduction to the vast literature for the organ and its development (a field which has often been ignored by general music historians) grew from a course on organ literature taught at Michigan State University. The purpose of this book is to provide such an introduction. The text discusses organ composition styles and their development in a general, non-detailed fashion according to various geographical areas and periods. Charts give a view of the entire school of composers and show how important relationships (such as those of teacher, student, and contemporaries) occurred during the same period. The historical background pages provide a few key items to establish an historical setting for each chapter. Several maps help to clarify geographical relationships within schools. The bibliographies (to each chapter as well as a general one at the end of the book) and the Appendix devoted to Bach should prove helpful in guiding serious organists, students, teachers, and performers to sources for more detailed study. In the Biographical Catalog of Organ Literature the reader will be able to find a brief biographical sketch and ready references to published organ music under the composer's name."--Page iv.