Book excerpt: (Book). For more than 200 years, the piano has been an inspirational force in the world of music. The Piano shows how this characterful instrument has won its place at the center of the affections of music lovers everywhere. This is the first popular book to cover every aspect of the instrument's dynamic history, including: origins, technical developments, novelties and experiments; piano music throughout the centuries; profiles of the instruments' musical giants and analyses of their greatest works; and much more. With over 200 photographs and full color throughout, The Piano is a handsome tribute to a great musical personality. 192 pages, 9 1/2 x 11 1/4