The Music of Life

Written by Elizabeth Rusch · Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

A craftsman seeks to create an instrument that plays both soft and loud, changing music forever.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 262 ratings

48 pages· 1,941 words· Est. 15 min read-aloud

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Bookroo's summary

In bustling Florence, Bartolomeo Cristofori dreams of crafting an instrument that can whisper and roar. Under the patronage of Prince Ferdinando de Medici, Cristofori's quest leads him to the heart of the city's clamor, where the rhythmic dance of hammers inspires a groundbreaking creation. As he perfects the pianoforte, a new era of music begins, allowing melodies to flow with unprecedented emotion and complexity. Will Cristofori's invention transform the musical landscape and fulfill the prince's vision of a harmonious court? Discover the captivating journey behind the birth of the piano, an instrument that forever changed the world.

From the publisher

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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