Keyboard Music

This symposium offers an account of the development of solo keyboard music from the earliest known examples to the present day. By "keyboard" we imply the piano and its predecessors, excluding organ music (which has its own niche) and duets for one or two keyboards (though these may be mentioned in passing when they have some bearing on the solo works). The solo repertoire, even the familiar repertoire, is vast enough to raise severe editorial problems, and against any apology for omissions (intentional or accidental) may be mentioned the danger of reducing discussion to a mere catalogue. Nevertheless it is hoped to provide a useful listener's guide, parallel to the Penguin volumes on chamber music, choral music, the symphony and the concerto. - Introduction.