The Oxford History of English Music: Volume 1: From the Beginnings to c.1715

His commentary is almost seamless * Music Teachers Online Journal *
Caldwell goes straight to original sources to provide new perspectives in both an erudite and user-friendly manner. * Music Teachers Online Journal *
A rich and varied tradition is covered in Caldwell's excellent two volume The Oxford History of Music. Volume 1 ... is one of only a few recent publications that date to investigate the somewhat murky area of the pre-Reformation, especially in its earliest days. This is a remarkable volume in which the scholarship cannot be faulted and one cannot hope to find such a knowledgeable and accessible approach elsewhere.
His ability to absorb, to generalize, and to select representative examples for discussion is everywhere apparent in this volume. There are few aspects of English music before 1715 for which this book will not provide a reliable summary and a guide to further learning.' * Notes, December 1992 *
triumphant success ... this can be recommended as a reliable, well-proportioned and up-to-date survey of its subject. * Early Music News *
We wait with the liveliest expectancy for the second instalment of this munificent, music-loving book.' * Wilfrid Mellers, Times Literary Supplement *
I am filled with admiration by the present volume, for not only is the coverage both wide and deep, it is the work of one man ... It is amazing how much detail there is, and given the limitations of even 700 pages, how accurate it is ... Caldwell's no-nonsense approach and economical style pack in a great deal of information ... One of the most admirable features of this book is the wealth of music examples ... Without doubt this is a authoritative work ... Caldwell's perspective is clear and up to date in terms of scholarship; his judgements are informed, and his opinions just and generous.' * Times Higher Education Supplement *
he is a reliable guide to the literature and to the present state of knowledge, while not being afraid to question the conclusions of others when appropriate ... Given the size of this volume and the richness of the material, Caldwell's structure is a model of clarity ... this splendid book ... should be read by all those interested in early music. Caldwell's work is beautifully written and produced, discusses the music sensibly and comprehensively, and provides an excellent guide to themain authorities and editions for the period. I for one look forward to the second volume.' * Early Music *
John Caldwell's account of English music is extensive and authoritative, a remarkable achievement ... Caldwell's coverage is full and well conceived and amply supplied with apt musical examples. The writing is clear and trenchant ... Caldwell's knack of explaining difficult concepts and techniques clearly and concisely is exemplary ... wide ranging and imaginative use of literary as well as musical sources ... this volume is highly recommended as a comprehensive, current and highly readable account of the development of English music.' * Plainsong and Mediaeval Music Journal *
the signal virtue of this book, over and above its scholarship, is that it never forgets that music is made by human beings for human beings * Times Literary Supplement *
superbly produced * The Oldie *