Editorial Review
This classic reference work, the best one-volume music dictionary available, has been brought completely up to date in this new edition. Combining authoritative scholarship and lucid, lively prose, the Fourth Edition of The Harvard Dictionary of Music is the essential guide for musicians, students, and everyone who appreciates music.
The Harvard Dictionary of Music has long been admired for its wide range as well as its reliability. This treasure trove includes entries on all the styles and forms in Western music; comprehensive articles on the music of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Near East; descriptions of instruments enriched by historical background; and articles that reflect today's beat, including popular music, jazz, and rock. Throughout this Fourth Edition, existing articles have been fine-tuned and new entries added so that the dictionary fully reflects current music scholarship and recent developments in musical culture.
Encyclopedia-length articles by notable experts alternate with short entries for quick reference, including definitions and identifications of works and instruments. More than 220 drawings and 250 musical examples enhance the text. This is an invaluable book that no music lover can afford to be without.
(20040401)
Cached date: AWS Called=true
Customer Reviews
Quick and Thorough 
2008-09-30
_The Harvard Dictionary of Music_ is easy to use and very helpful. The articles are usually short but thorough, and they often contain cross references, bibliography, and signed entries.
Explains difficult concepts remarkably clearly 2008-08-09
Back around 1987 (or so), I walked into a local mega-bookstore to find a music dictionary that would help me navigate a couple of Renaissance and Medieval music books I was trying to read through. I'd written down various terms that I would use as the litmus test to gauge how effectively (clearly, concisely and thoroughly) each dictionary would be able to tell me what I needed and wanted to know, and/or how well it defined things I already knew well. So once I'd entered the store, I grabbed their three or four music dictionaries off the shelf and started comparing their enties for each of 8 or 10 musical terms/ideas. I found that the Harvard version was unsurpassed, and in fact rarely equaled in the quality of its entries. Oftentimes the other dictionaries flung around jargon; or their explanations were superficial, or would skirt some of the issues, assuming that I, for one, would already know what THEY were supposed to be explaining to me.
I remember after having bought the book, that whenever I needed to find out something, it would give me what I needed almost without fail. One example of this occurred on the day I wanted/needed to learn how to read and understand figured bass (having never looked into this before). I was doubting that the Harvard would give me what I needed, as it seemed on the surface to be so very complicated. Was I ever wrong! After reading the Harvard entry, I was reading through and playing Corelli on my keyboard sequencer (albeit slowly) within about 15 minutes. Although I had also conversed with a friend who was a composition major, that was for no more than a minute or so.
fast service! 2008-06-14
The Harvard Dictionary is a staple with serious musicians - I bought this for a student of mine that was graduating. Amazons service is so fast that I'm spoiled! I expect everyone else to mail my purchases this quickly!
Harvard Dictionary of Music - a MUST 2008-06-09
The Harvard Dictionary of Music is a MUST for all college music students. It will be of great interest to all who love music.
Highly recommended!
THIS BOOK IS INDISPENSABLE 2008-03-01
This book sits about a foot away from me at all times because I reference it at least once a day. I highly recommend this book for any musician. It has all the information that your brain just doesn't have room for (i.e. Organum, Conductus, music of other cultures - I just can't believe how much they crammed into one book); between this and Grovesmusic.com you'll have an arsenal of information.
Words that vary from the commonplace to the obscure 
2007-07-30
This classic reference work, the best one-volume music dictionary available, has been brought completely up to date in this new edition. Combining authoritative scholarship and lucid, lively prose, the Fourth Edition of The Harvard Dictionary of Music is the essential guide for musicians, students, and everyone who appreciates music.
The Harvard Dictionary of Music has long been admired for its wide range as well as its reliability. This treasure trove includes entries on all the styles and forms in Western music; comprehensive articles on the music of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Near East; descriptions of instruments enriched by historical background; and articles that reflect today's beat, including popular music, jazz, and rock. Throughout this Fourth Edition, existing articles have been fine-tuned and new entries added so that the dictionary fully reflects current music scholarship and recent developments in musical culture.
Encyclopedia-length articles by notable experts alternate with short entries for quick reference, including definitions and identifications of works and instruments. More than 220 drawings and 250 musical examples enhance the text. This is an invaluable book that no music lover can afford to be without.
(20040401)
Harvard book 2007-03-16
This book is the best there is out there it is worth every cent and has everything for the novice musician to the most experienced in terms. Recommended to all!!!!
An Invaluable Music Dictionary 2007-03-08
I don't have a music degree, but took lessons from my accomplished pianist Mom for 8 years beginning on my 4th birthday. Since I don't have much theory knowledge, even though I've been playing the piano for over 48 years, I wanted a music reference book that I could also learn from. I am planning to add the Harvard Biographical Music Dictionary to my music collection, as this music dictionary doesn't give in-depth biographies on composers, since it is a MUSIC dictionary. This book is for anyone wanting to own a great music reference book and will be an invaluable addition to your music library.
Harvard Dictionary of Music 2007-01-19
If you have a term or musical symbol that you don't know, it will be explained in this book. A great reference book.
Quick and excellent service 2007-01-11
The item ordered was received in a very timely manner, especially as it was the Christmas season.
