ABSTRACT
In light of the image obtained from analysis of the sources, one is naturally tempted to raise the pertinent and intricate questions as to whether and to what extent the musical theory and practice of present-day living musical styles descend from early classical musical traditions, or deviate from them. However, since the musical heritage was transmitted entirely by ear, and provides us with no musical documents earlier than the first recordings made at the beginning of this century, we cannot know with any certainty how the music sounded. This difficulty is exacerbated by changes that have affected music in the course of time, particularly during the last hundred years or so. Nevertheless, reasonable and helpful comparisons can be made on the level of ideas, of concepts held about music, musicianship and musicians, theoretical features, performance practices, and predominant forms and genres, as well as instruments-including their uses and functions.
