Piano Roles A New History of the Piano James Parakilas, etc.

This delightfully written book examines every aspect of the history of the piano over the past three hundred years. It deals with the piano's place in classical and popular music cultures, its meaning in different eras, its acceptance in all parts of the world, and images it has inspired in literature, art, and the movies. This new paperback edition includes forty-seven halftone illustrations.

James Parakilas is the James L. Moody, Jr. Family Professor of Performing Arts and chair of the music department at Bates College. He is also a performing pianist.

"In turns highly entertaining and very educational, full of extraordinary facts. An admirable addition to the literature on this subject." Andre Previn "Reaches out to general readers as well as musical insiders... A fascinating cultural history." Anthony Tommasini, New York Times "A book that will tell you everything you want to know about the piano, except maybe how to play it... The book is replete with artworks, photos, history, anecdotes, and reminiscences." Herbert Kupferberg, Houston Chronicle "A wonderful mosaic of the history of the piano and the diverse parts it has played in its three hundred years of life." Henry Sheen, New Statesman