Music: A Science and an Art
John Redfield
📚 Genre
Non-Fiction - Musicology / Acoustics
🏢 Publisher
Alfred A. Knopf
📅 Publication Year
1930
🔢 ISBN
Not applicable (Published prior to modern ISBN system)
About This Book
An exploration of the scientific foundations of music, examining acoustics, tone production, musical scales, and the intersection between scientific measurement and artistic expression. The visible spine is bound in red cloth with a decorative paper paste-on label featuring artistic and musical motifs such as a palette, violin, and compass.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
307
Edition
First Edition / Stated Second Printing
Series
Standalone work
Target Audience
Academic and General Audience interested in music theory and acoustics
Collector Information
Condition
Good. Shows moderate fading to the spine, edge wear, and slight aging on the paste-on spine label, but the cloth binding remains structurally intact.
Estimated Value
$25-$50
Rarity
Uncommon. While not exceedingly rare, original copies from the early 20th century with intact paper spine labels in decent condition are increasingly difficult to find on the secondary market.
Historical Significance
An influential early 20th-century text attempting to bridge the gap between scientific acoustic principles and musical aesthetics, frequently cited in early studies of microtonality and musical physics.
Collector Notes
Key collectibility factor is the preservation of the delicate paper spine label, which is prone to chipping, fading, and peeling. Store away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the red cloth binding and label.
Similar Books
On the Sensations of Tone by Hermann Helmholtz, The Physics of Music by Alexander Wood, The Science of Musical Sounds by Dayton C. Miller, Introduction to Musical Acoustics by Roberto Benenzon
Notable Features
Distinctive decorative spine label typical of early Knopf publications, comprehensive treatment of musical acoustics from the early 20th century perspective.