“For some mysterious reason which no one can escape, man cannot live without making music (…) Music will accompany us always: it is the only sure thing.” These are the words with which this author opens and closes his work, and one could say that this is the main idea he wishes to transmit in this book. “This book,” he says, “does not in any way propose to explain what music is, but rather simply to help the reader feel it and enjoy it (…). Such is the simple and at the same time fundamental object of this small book: that whoever reads it may feel themselves marvelously happy with Music.” In other words, the book gives a general overview of the whole history of music, which without being exhaustive nevertheless seems complete. The book has a simple style that is accessible and expressive. The author avoids technical language on purpose, because he “wants to reach everyone, the learned and the unlearned—perhaps showing more preference for the latter.” The book follows a chronological order. At the beginning of each chapter the author gives an overview of the era. He then follows with descriptions of the great composers of that time: their biographies and a study of their works. Since it is, as he says, a “simple” history, meant to serve as a first introduction, he doesn’t go deeply into any one topic and his critical approach is rather poor and generic. But for anyone ignorant of music this will certainly acquaint him with the musical world; and the music lover will find in these pages an aid for remembering and organizing the main ideas about each musical period or composer. M.C.E.M. (2011)
Historia sencilla de la música
Moral assessment:
Type: Thought
Nothing inappropriate.
Requires prior general knowledge of the subject.
Readers with knowledgeable about the subject matter.
Contains doctrinal errors of some importance.
Whilst not being explicitly against the faith, the general approach or its main points are ambiguous or opposed to the Church’s teachings.
Incompatible with Catholic doctrine.