The Shortest History of Music. From Antiquity to Our Days

People have been singing and playing musical instruments since ancient times, but tracing a continuous history of music is impossible; it is too diverse and heterogeneous. Therefore, Andrew Ford – a composer, researcher, and host of a popular radio program about music – offers a different approach. He highlights key themes in the history of music and shows how they manifested in different cultures and eras – from ritual chants and the first sound recording systems to modern labels and streaming platforms. The author presents a large-scale, vivid, and captivating narrative about how the music we listen to and perform reflects social and cultural changes, religious practices, and the influence of technological progress. Written with passion and encyclopedic accuracy, this book will be a revelation for anyone who wants to take a fresh look at musical history.