THE MAKING OF MUSIC, VOL. 1

James Naughtie's narration of THE MAKING OF MUSIC, examining a thousand years in the development and history of music, is presented with such reverence and commitment that it even surpasses the audiobook's exquisite musical excerpts. The early invention of music through medieval and Renaissance centuries is graced by Naughtie's simple Irish brogue and even more so by the selected musical examples. One cannot imagine reading this book without these visceral and sweetly audible lessons. Harmony, melody, the genius of musical invention, intervention, and divergence are demystified by Naughtie. His infectious enthusiasm is only eclipsed by the musical selections, often performed in idyllic acoustical landmarks such as resonant European cathedrals. As if this were not enough, this work elucidates further by weaving a historically comprehensive vision of the arts, sciences, and religious beliefs of the musical periods explored and how they combine to "represent the Divine . . . entwining the secular and the sacred." A superlative listen! A.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2010]