Excerpt from The Pianoforte and Its MusicIn this book I have undertaken a study of the origin and development of the pianoforte, the music composed for it, and the performers who have brought that music home to the understanding and enjoyment of the people who have lived since the instrument acquired the predominant influence which it occupies in modern culture. There is that in the title of the series of works to which this little book belongs which justifies a trust in the graciousness, gentleness, and serious-mindedness of those who shall, haply, read it; and therefore I begin with a warning that an earnest purpose lies at the bottom of my undertaking: I am more desirous to instruct than to entertain, though I would not assert that in this instance instruction and entertainment need be divorced.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.