From the NYT review by Peter Keepnews
Here are some of the many things I learned from reading The Triumph of Music:
The tension of violin strings was increased in the late 18th century to produce a louder and more penetrating sound; as a result, the pitch of most orchestras rose by a half step.
In the course of a single battle in 1792, the singing of the Marseillaise by French soldiers was given credit for turning the tide on three separate occasions.
The Paris Opera House originally contained an area known as the Foyer de la Danse, in which members of the corps de ballet could be approached during the interval and assignations made.
Read more...
The book is on sale at Amazon:
The Triumph of Music: The Rise of Composers, Musicians and Their Art
Here are some of the many things I learned from reading The Triumph of Music:
The tension of violin strings was increased in the late 18th century to produce a louder and more penetrating sound; as a result, the pitch of most orchestras rose by a half step.
In the course of a single battle in 1792, the singing of the Marseillaise by French soldiers was given credit for turning the tide on three separate occasions.
The Paris Opera House originally contained an area known as the Foyer de la Danse, in which members of the corps de ballet could be approached during the interval and assignations made.
Read more...
The book is on sale at Amazon:
The Triumph of Music: The Rise of Composers, Musicians and Their Art