A Complete History of Music for Schools, Clubs, and Private Reading

"A Complete History of Music" by W. J. Baltzell is an educational journey through the world of music, designed for students and enthusiasts alike. Written in the early 1900s, the book travels from music's earliest beginnings to the modern sounds of the time, showcasing the most important changes and people who made music what it is. The author starts with a guide for teachers on how to best teach music history, suggesting a mix of talking and listening to truly understand music's growth as an art. Critical musical elements and teaching tools are put in the spotlight as ways to help people gain a deep appreciation of music. Woven throughout the book is the idea that understanding the lives and times of composers is key to understanding their music.