Series editor, J. E. Smith. Side 1: James Blades begins by showing the importance of rhythm to all cultures. The remarkable history of percussion instruments is then traced through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the Classical Period. - Side 2: The speaker shows how the 19th Century demanded marked changes of colour in the percussion section, including the emergency of tuned percussion. He then brings us up to date with a consideration of the increased technical requirements which the 20th Century has made on old, and new, percussion instruments.

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