Five Straight Lines: A History of Music

Review What an enjoyable read this is. ... Andrew Gant quite rightly goes back into the distant past (before anything was written down) and comes right up to date, even speculating in an epilogue what the next million years might bring. ... The joy of this history is the extra bits of information which he includes. ... An entertaining history ― Church TimesA genial, approachable narrator, with a welcome glint in his eye ... I came away charmed by Gant's clever turn of phrase, grateful for his distilled clarity of thought ― SpectatorPraise for O Sing Unto the Lord'Excellent ... This authoritative and engaging history brings ... light and warmth to the subject ― Sunday TimesAn indispensable guide to a great tradition - and a very good read. -- Catherine Bott, Presenter, Classic FMAn illuminating and entertaining history ... without recourse to pedantry or jargon. ― Literary ReviewI would urge everybody interested in English history to buy this book at once -- Nico Muhly ― New York TimesAn enjoyable read ... Entertaining history ― Church Times Product Description 'Fascinating ... Composer Andrew Gant is a masterful guide, introducing readers to the major players and key themes of an entrancing topic.' BBC History MagazineWhether you prefer Baroque or pop, Theremins or violins, the music you love and listen to shapes your world. But what shaped the music?Ranging across time and space, this book takes us on a grand musical tour from music's origins in prehistory right up to the twenty-first century. Charting the leaps in technology, thought and practice that led to extraordinary revolutions of music in each age, the book takes us through medieval Europe, Renaissance Italy and Jazz era America to reveal the rich history of music we still listen to today. From Mozart to McCartney, Schubert to Schoenberg, Professor Andrew Gant brings to life the people who made the music, their techniques and instruments, as well as the places their music was played, from sombre churches to rowdy taverns, stately courts to our very own homes. Book Description A sweeping and lively account from a master of the subject About the Author Andrew Gant is a composer, choirmaster, church musician, university teacher and writer. He has directed many leading choirs including The Guards' Chapel, Worcester College Oxford, and Her Majesty's Chapel Royal. He lectures in Music at St Peter's College in Oxford, where he lives with his wife and their three children. His books for Profile are Christmas Carols and O Sing Unto the Lord.