Eli Maor, “Music by the Numbers: From Pythagoras to Schoenberg” (Princeton UP, 2018)
New Books in Mathematics
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Musical and Mathematical Revolutions
The chapter explores the parallel crises in physics and classical music at the turn of the 20th century, focusing on the revolutionary ideas in both fields that led to a reevaluation of traditional principles and the introduction of new systems. It delves into the historical development of mathematics and music, from Pythagoras' discoveries 2500 years ago to Galileo's exploration of musical harmony. The chapter also discusses the lesser-known figures like Mercen and Joseph Silver, highlighting their contributions to music theory and acoustic research.
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