The Bodley Head History of WESTERN MUSIC NEW REVISED EDITION‘A single-handed one-volume history of music ranging from the Sumerians to Boulez and Stockhausen is a daunting challenge, to which Mr Headington responds with spirit and resource. Wherever we sample his narrative, we find good sense, sane proportions and a pleasantly clear and undogmatic style. Copious musical quotations.’ Sunday Times ‘Here, then, is a reference book of musical history for the literate rather than the talented; they will find it stimu- lates them as a reference book, while delighting them with the wide range of music it invites them to explore for themselves.” Times Literary Supplement ‘The Bodley Head History of Western Music is a stimu- lating study which will make a distinguished addition to any music-lover’s library.’ Records and Recording “A very good book, a near-miracle of compression and most enjoyable to read in its conciseness.’ Spectator“The layman ot young reader who is interested in music, and wants some chronological background for what he hears, is often daunted by the tomes of musical criticism and history that he is offered, or unsatisfied by ‘potted’ surveys. In The Bodley Head History of Western Music Christopher Headington provides a readable and scholarly account of the development of Western music from its beginnings in the ancient world down to the fragmented culture of our own day. He discusses the contribution of significant composers, the evolution of musical forms, the social and political factors that have affected the lives of working musicians over the centuries, and traces the development of musical instruments. ‘The numerous musical examples that are used to amplify and illustrate the text area particularly useful feature of the book. For this new edition Christopher Headington. has completely revised his final section to incorporate the various changes that have taken place in the music world since the book, now a vital component of every music library, was first published. NEW EDITION © 370 30294 X Christopher Headington was born in London and went to Taunton School and the Royal ‘Academy of Music in London, where he was a Composition Scholar and, as a pianist, also won the Leonard Borwick Prize for the best instrumentalist of the year. In 1954, encouraged by his former teacher, Lennox Berkeley, and by Benjamin Britten, he took up the post of Deputy Director of Music at Lancing College in Sussex and remained there for nine years. At this point he decided to move back nearer the centre of English musical life and took charge of Music Presentation at the BBCin, London; the following year he returned to teaching as Tutor in Music in the External Studies Department of Oxford University. In 1972 he reduced his Oxford work toa half-time basis. Since then he has worked asan all-round musician, author and broadcaster, and in 1978 he was awarded a major Arts Council bursary for composition. Christopher Headington’s own works include concertos for violin and piano, two string quartets and a piano quartet, two piano sonatas, an orchestral song cycle and the Bradfield Mass composed for Bradfield College in 1977. Apart from The Bodley Head History of Western ‘Music, he has also compiled an fllustrated Dictionary of Musical Terms (1980) and contributed to The Dictionary of Composers edited by Charles Osborne (1977). BODLEY g BOW STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON. HEAD