A Very Short History of Music: From the Ancient World to the Present Day

People have been singing and playing musical instruments since ancient times, yet the history of music is so diverse and uneven that it’s impossible to trace its continuous development. Andrew Ford, a composer and researcher who hosts a well-known radio program about music, offers a different approach. He identifies key themes in the history of music and shows how they manifest across different cultures and times—from ritual songs and the first methods of recording sound to modern music labels and streaming services.

The author offers a broad, vivid, and engaging account of how social and cultural changes, religion, and technological achievements influence the music we listen to and perform. Written with enthusiasm and precision, this work will be an eye-opener for anyone who wants to see the history of music in a new way.