This volume investigates the historical progression and structural evolution of musical forms and traditions within a specific chronological framework. The author, H.C. Colles, utilizes his extensive background as a music critic and historian to synthesize complex developments in music theory and performance. The text provides a structured analysis of how musical styles shifted and matured during the period covered, offering a scholarly examination of the technical and cultural factors that influenced these changes.

Scholars and music historians frequently cite this work as a reliable reference for understanding the technical evolution of music during the period in question. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for those with a foundational knowledge of music theory.