The Music of Life: Bartolomeo Cristofori & the Invention of the Piano

by Elizabeth Rusch (Author) Marjorie Priceman (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Award-winning biographer Elizabeth Rusch and two-time Caldecott Honor-recipient Marjorie Priceman team up to tell the inspiring story of the invention of the world's most popular instrument: the piano. Bartolomeo Cristofori coaxes just the right sounds from the musical instruments he makes. Some of his keyboards can play piano, light and soft; others make forte notes ring out, strong and loud, but Cristofori longs to create an instrument that can be played both soft and loud. His talent has caught the attention of Prince Ferdinando de Medici, who wants his court to become the musical center of Italy. The prince brings Cristofori to the noisy city of Florence, where the goldsmiths' tiny hammers whisper tink, tink and the blacksmiths' big sledgehammers shout BANG, BANG! Could hammers be the key to the new instrument? At last Cristofori gets his creation just right. It is called the pianoforte, for what it can do. All around the world, people young and old can play the most intricate music of their lives, thanks to Bartolomeo Cristofori's marvelous creation: the piano.
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$19.99

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Rusch (Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World) playfully weaves aural imagery throughout this engaging story of how Bartolomeo Cristofori came to invent the piano. Sounds of 17th-century Italian life abound as the instrument maker heads to the Medici court in Florence to work alongside other craftsmen: "Wool beaters thump and looms clatter--clack. Ka-chunk goes the printing press." The auditory motif continues as dynamics notations headline each spread: a booming "forte (loud)" rises from a noisy harpsichord, while "pianissimo (very soft)" curls across a scene of Cristofori tuning a clavichord. Wanting an instrument that can be played either loudly or softly, he builds the pianoforte, later shortened to piano. Priceman's (Miracle on 133rd Street) bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors add energy and humor; an orange tabby cat, often comically startled awake by music, appears in most scenes. Extensive endnotes include a timeline, comparisons between the original and modern pianos, suggested listening (from Chopin to Tori Amos), and thorough discussion of the sources Rusch used. It's a spirited, informative tale that will resonate with music aficionados young and old. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary. (Apr.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—A well-researched, fascinating account of the father of modern-day pianos. Bartolomeo Cristofori was a talented 17th-century inventor born in Padua, Italy, who loved the light and powerful sounds of the clavichord and the harpsichord. He longed to create an instrument that married both of these kinds of notes. With the patronage of Prince Ferdinando de' Medici, Cristofori was able to spend the rest of his life tinkering away in his quest for what would eventually become the pianoforte. Rusch's energetic text is paired well with Priceman's vibrant images, rendered in gouache and ink with bold strokes. Each spread is introduced by a musical term, defined in parentheses, that not only sets up the narrative that will be showcased on those pages but also introduces readers to piano-playing techniques (e.g., forte, pianissimo, crescendo). The curly and bold font used for these headings adds to the dynamic layout of each page and illustrates the lively music that the piano inspires. Quotations from and about Cristofori are peppered throughout. In addition to a detailed time line and source notes, the thorough back matter includes author's notes on the few updates that have been made since Cristofori's pianos, where children can find his remaining instruments, a list of classical and modern music pieces that make great use of the piano, and how Rusch was able to reconstruct the inventor's life from primary and secondary sources. VERDICT A strong purchase for music lovers, budding pianists, and large biography and STEAM collections.—Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

* "A bright, colorful introduction to a beloved instrument . . . Priceman's signature artwork is a perfect match for the words . . . Delightfully energetic, this will inspire young pianists."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "2/15/17 "
Elizabeth Rusch

Elizabeth Rusch is the author of award-winning nonfiction titles for children, including previous Scientists in the Field titles, Eruption!, The Mighty Mars Rovers and The Next Wave. Elizabeth lives in Oregon with her family. www.elizabethrusch.com

Karin Anderson has worked for the New York Times, and the Washington Post. www.karinanderson.com

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781481444842
Lexile Measure
980
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date
April 18, 2017
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF007040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Music
JNF036020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Music | History
JNF036090 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Music | Instruments
Library of Congress categories
History
Biographies
Italy
18th century
Piano
Harpsichord makers
Piano makers
Cristofori, Bartolomeo

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