referencebooks (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} referencebooks) wrote,@ 2006-06-05 16:04:00 |
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| Entry tags: | history, music |
The Organ: An Encyclopedia
The Organ: An Encyclopedia
Douglas E. Bush, Editor
Richard Kassel, Associate Editor
Published by Routledge, 2006
This is an 8.5" by 11" hardcover book running to 679 pages including the index and the list of contributors, plus a brief preferatory section. This volume is part of a three volume set, the other volumes being encyclopedias on pianos and on harpsichords and clavichords. The three books are sold separately and paginated individually.
For a sense of what is covered, here is a list of the first fifteen entries in the "C" sequence, with SEE references included:
- CABINET ORGAN SEE CHAMBER ORGAN
- CADIRETA SEE RÜCKPOSITIV
- CAHMAN
- CALCANT
- CALLIDO
- CALLINET SEE DAUBLAINE-CALLINET
- CAMPANA
- CANADA
- CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF PIPE ORGANS
- CARHART, JEREMIAH (1813-1868)
- CARIBBEAN SEE CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
- CARILLON
- CARLIER, CRESPIN (CRÉPIN) (D. 1636)
- CASAVANT FRÈRES
- CASE
The entries include parts of organs and organ technology through history geographical entries that discuss organ building history in different countries and regions; and important organ builders and organ building firms. Entries for organ-builders actually make up the majority of entries in the book, which is quite interesting.
I happen to know a bit of random knowledge about Italian pipe organ history and about an Italian organ building firm, and was very satisfied to find and entry for Italy, which went into depth where my knowledge consists of very little, as well as an entry for the organ building firm. The entry for the firm even mentioned their organ at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, which I have heard. It is fun to find a bit of unusual knowledge reflected and validated in a reference book. Take that as a sign of the quality of this book or as reason to think that I can't be objective in evaluating it.
The information in the entries is very detailed and clearly written. Not too much knowledge of music theory or history is assumed by the contributors.
This is a useful resource for anyone doing serious research in music history and musicology where it concerns organs. A very serious and well-done reference book.
