Three Great Epoch-Makers in Music

"Three Great Epoch-Makers in Music" by Edward Clarence Farnsworth is a dedication to Farnsworth's mentor, Hermann Kotzschmar, that explores the lives and legacies of Johann Sebastian Bach, Frederic Chopin, and Richard Strauss, composers that each marks a different turning point in musical history. The book examines how these musicians built upon earlier traditions while also paving the way for future innovation. Starting with Bach, who is presented as the bedrock of modern music, Farnsworth seeks to present how the work of each composer is tied to what came before and what would follow. It demonstrates that each composer stands as a vital figure in a long line of musical progression, which sets the stage for appreciating Bach's life and the impact of his work on those who came after him.