The Science of Musical Sound.

First edition of Pierce’s study of the physics and perception of music, first published in 1983. Quarto, original cloth, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Charles Strouse, Science probably needs your art more than your art needs science. Happy New Year to a fine man and a talented, good friend. Ned Cook, 1984, Palm Beach, Fl.” The sentiment is a fitting one for a composer whose work bridged popular song and the musical stage. From the collection of Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winning composer Charles Strouse and his wife, choreographer Barbara Siman. Over his 50-year career, Charles Strouse wrote the music for such iconic musical theater hits as Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, and Annie, as well as the theme song for the classic sitcom All in the Family (“Those Were the Days”). His partnership with Martin Charnin on Annie produced one of Broadway’s most successful scores ever, with “Tomorrow” and other songs from the production becoming enduring American musical standards admired by generations. His reach knew no genre or generation, from a number-one Billboard hit in 1958 to Jay-Z’s Grammy-winning sampling of “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” four decades later, and his honors include three Tony Awards and induction into both the Songwriters and Theater Halls of Fame. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. An appealing association copy from the library of one of the foremost composers of the American theater.