Visions of Music (Sheet Music in the Twentieth Century) Book Series Hardcover Written by Tony Walas

Music is meant to be heard, yet there is a whole subculture of the music industry that is solely devoted to the production of music on the printed page - sheet music. In the world of antiques, sheet music is classified under the category of ephemera, which are printed or paper items that were originally expected to have only a short-term usefulness or popularity. Vintage sheet music has two natures. The basic function is to pass along the musical ideas of a composer - the actual transcription of a piece or solo. A secondary feature, and the main one for collectors, is the visual impact of the cover. Sheet music is something to be used, yet also a piece of art to be saved and visually enjoyed. The covers offer keen insight into the world as it was, reflecting the passage of time. It's the memories and history they invoke that transcends the music they contain. Lavishly illustrated with over 700 faithful reproductions of sheet music covers, this collection provides fans with an indispensable outlet to connect with these pieces from the past, preserving their remarkable perspective, their visual delight, and the colorful history they represent.