This book was written by Albert Lavignac in 1945. The author was music theory and harmony professor to the Conservatory of Paris, Debussy as one of his pupils is notably counted. Music and Musicians constitutes its main book, it was even used for a long time after its death.

The writing style is very definite and clear, the experience of the author is really smelt. It is possible to note the pedagogic step of Lavignac which argues each of its purposes with examples. There is little a superfluous, book is very dense at the level of contents, sometimes richer than more recent books.

In a first part, he offers to describe the ground rules of acoustics (perception and production of the sound, harmonic of fundamental one sound). Group is very accessible and acts as plinth to include the following chapters.

The following section is a presentation of instrumentation. All the instruments of the orchestra are reviewed. The author describes the register of the instrument, its timbre, its articulations and the particular characteristics. Many examples illustrate impossible movements, those who are more sure (trills for example). Lavignac brings the personal key in descriptions by giving anecdotes, his personal experience. He always takes care of giving a bibliography for every instrument. He finishes the chapter by approaching notions of orchestration. How the different sections bring a different colour to the orchestra? It's a shame however that this chapter is not more itemised because it brings very interesting information.

Chapters according to concentrate on musical grammar. It is not about an introduction in the music theory but rather about a harmony concentrated solution. Description of intervals, building of chords, harmonic motions and melodic, cadenzas... Presentation is very rich on subject. He describes all the rules in harmony: defended intervals, disadvised doubling... The author assumes that the reader already has basic knowledge in music theory. Indeed, Lavignac takes in subject directly in the bottom. The chapter on the modulation is particularly interesting. He finishes this section of the book by the study of the counterpoint and of the running away

The last third of the book approaches the History of music: musical forms (sonata, opera) as well as big stages of musical art according to the primitive and ancient people then the big Schools.

In conclusion, this book in spite of its date of writing of the middle of the XXth century has nothing to envy the more recent books. It is fuller, richer and better written than a lot of books on subject. Experience and pedagogy of Lavignac allows to acquire solid bases in instrumentation and in harmony. You should not besides hesitate to be several reading to supplement his knowledge according to his training. This book is difficult to get, alone the market of occasion or of libraries of ancient books will allow to acquire it.