PIONEERS IN MUSIC

This book on the forgotten composers who blazed the trails for the masters should have a real place in the record of musical history. Ewen writes: ""Before Johann Sebastian Bach there were Carissimi and Buxtehude. Monteverdi and Gluck preceded Wagner; and Haydn and Mozart developed out of Stamitz, the early Viennese school and Philipp Emanuel Bach. In much the same manner, Frederic Chopin was evolved out of John Field."" He takes opera, oratorio, ballet, musical comedy, modern instrumental music, choral music, symphonic music, etc. and he traces the origin in the work of these virtually forgotten men. A book for musical students but interesting enough in the handling to appeal to those with little technical background.