Barbara Owen, an active lecturer, teacher,recitalist, and organ consultant, is Librarian of the Organ Library atBoston University and author of The Organ in New England, E. Power Biggs: Concert Organist, and articles in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and many organ journals. She is also co-author (with Peter Williams) of The Organ.

• IntroductionPart I. Prologue: Renaissance and Reformation1. The Music, Compoers, and Organs2. England, France, Italy, and Spain3. Netherlands, Germany, and Central EuropePart II. Late Renaissance to Early Baroque4. England5. France and Catholic Netherlands6. Italy7. Spain and Portugal8. Northern Netherlands9. North and Central Germany10. South Germany, Austria-Hungary, and SwitzerlandPart III. High Baroque11. England12. France and Lower Netherlands13. Italy14. Spain, Portugal, and Mesoamerica15. Northern Germany, Holland, and Scandinavia16. Central Germany17. South Germany, Austria, and Eastern EuropePart IV. Summation: Late Baroque to Classical18. England and Coastal United States19. France, Alsace, and Lower Netherlands (Belgium)20. Italy21. Spain, Portugal, and Latin America22. Protestant Germany, Holland, and Scandinavia23. Catholic Germany, Austria, and Eastern EuropeAppendix I: Restored Historic Organs in North AmericaAppendix II: Modern Historically Based Organs in North AmericaBibliographyIndex

"In this book, Barbara Owen has created a rich resource of historical information coupled with strategies for interpreting that information on today's instruments." oJournal of the American Musical Instrument Society "... Barbara Owen has succeeded admirably in distilling three centuries of organ registration practice into a volume less than three hundred pages long... Anyone with an interest in the history of the organ and its music ... will not want to ignore this book." oSixteenth Century Journal "It is rare to find a book that combines such careful scholarship with a practical focus that makes it accessible to performing musicians as well as research specialists." oNotes "An excellent volume from historical, musical style and interpretive standpoints. Highly recommended for all large academic and professional music collections." Choice " ... recommend this book to all serious organists." oThe American Organist Magazine