
MUSICAL MYTHS AND FACTS
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.
MATTHESON ON HANDEL.
DIABOLIC MUSIC.
ROYAL MUSICIANS.
COMPOSERS AND PRACTICAL MEN.
MUSIC AND MEDICINE.
POPULAR STORIES WITH MUSICAL TRADITIONS.
DRAMATIC MUSIC OF UNCIVILIZED RACES.
A SHORT SURVEY OF THE HISTORY OF MUSIC.
A lively compendium that untangles the legends and realities of music, this volume gathers essays, tales, and scholarly notes that span centuries of sound. Readers will wander from the curious anecdotes of “diabolic music” and haunted instruments to thoughtful surveys of musical scales still in use today, while also encountering vivid portraits of historic figures such as Handel and his contemporary Johann Mattheson. The book balances entertaining folklore with rigorous fact‑checking, offering both the charm of old myths and the clarity of modern musicology.
Beyond the stories, the work provides practical insight into the evolution of musical practice, from early theoretical treatises to the role of music in medicine and everyday life. Its eclectic mix of “Royal Musicians,” folk legends, and analytical overviews makes it a treasure trove for anyone fascinated by how music shapes—and is shaped by—culture. Whether you’re a casual listener or a curious scholar, the pages promise a rich journey through the sounds and stories that have defined our musical heritage.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (463K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Veronika Redfern, Linda Cantoni, Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) Music transcribed by Veronika Redfern.
Release date
Sep 27, 2012
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1818–1882
A pioneering writer on music who helped 19th-century readers understand instruments, ancient music, and musical traditions from around the world. His books blend scholarship with curiosity, making them especially appealing to listeners interested in music history.
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