Wagga resident Lorna Menzies-Wall has written a book that combines her two biggest passions – history and music.
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A Concise History of Music in Europe has been Ms Menzies-Wall’s labour of love for decades and was written through the death of her second husband and her own medical problems.
But the past few years have allowed her to work consistently on the book, which she said starts as early as 35,000 years ago when flutes were made from the horns of mammoths.
The former piano teacher and examiner started the book as an educational guide for students but said it would appeal to anyone with an interest in music or history.
“Because it’s not that technical, it should appeal to everyone,” she said.
“It’s important, particularly for composers, to know what’s gone before because it helps you deliver for the future.”
The book features chapters on Mozart, Beethoven and even Germany during World War I and how music affected that time.
This is the second book written by Ms Menzies-Wall.
She produced a book in 1998 of preliminary exercises for piano students to assist with their technique.
Ms Menzies-Wall will officially launch her new book on March 7 from 11am at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
The book is available to purchase by visiting www.australiancomposers.com.au and searching for A Concise History of Music in Europe.