Art music, orchestral and formal music Books

Book Synopsis''Beguiling ... Limpidly written, effortlessly learned'' William Boyd, TLS, Books of the YearIn November 1838 Frédéric Chopin, George Sand and her two children sailed to Majorca to escape the Parisian winter. They settled in an abandoned monastery at Valldemossa in the mountains above Palma, where Chopin finished what would eventually be recognised as one of the great and revolutionary works of musical Romanticism - his 24 Preludes. There was scarcely a decent piano on the island (these were still early days in the evolution of the modern instrument), so Chopin worked on a small pianino made by a local craftsman, which remained in their monastic cell for seventy years after he and Sand had left.This brilliant and unclassifiable book traces the history of Chopin''s 24 Preludes through the instruments on which they were played, the pianists who interpreted them and the traditions they came to represent. Yet it begins and ends with the Majorcan pianino, which during the Second World War assumed an astonishing cultural potency as it became, for the Nazis, a symbol of the man and music they were determined to appropriate as their own.The unexpected hero of the second part of the book is the great keyboard player and musical thinker Wanda Landowska, who rescued the pianino from Valldemossa in 1913, and who would later become one of the most influential musical figures of the twentieth century. Kildea shows how her story - a compelling account based for the first time on her private papers - resonates with Chopin''s, while simultaneously distilling part of the cultural and political history of Europe and the United States in the central decades of the century. Kildea''s beautifully interwoven narratives, part cultural history and part detective story, take us on an unexpected journey through musical Romanticism and allow us to reflect freshly on the changing meaning of music over time.Trade ReviewA wonderful book about music, musicians, cultural similarities and differences, the blood and gore of revolutionary times and the compensations of high art. Kildea writes with elegance and wit, and displays the kind of scholarship that does not come from simply mugging up on a few books. ... A book that will, amongst other things, send the reader back with fresh ears to the delightful, tormented Pole, and hear the music he composed on a borrowed piano in a monastery cell in Mallorca one terrible winter -- Michael Henderson * The Times *Chopin's Piano takes the motif of this piano - "Out of date before it was completed"; its maker Juan Bauza unknown and possibly an amateur - and uses it to tie together various narrative strands in an original, constantly interesting format. As it does it tells the story of Chopin's work, the development of piano making, and how music became inextricably linked to atrocities in the 20th century. -- Jonathan McAloon * Financial Times *An episodic, picaresque tale, woven confidently - at times even pacily - by Kildea. He writes knowledgeably and approachably about music and sympathetically about his cast of characters. It is the story of an obsession, but it manages not to feel obsessional. ... I enjoyed it very much. -- Alan Rusbridger * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisBerlioz was one of the towering figures of Romanticism: not only was he a great and revolutionary composer, but also the finest composer of his day and an outstanding critic and writer. Yet throughout his life he struggled for money and his music was persistently reviled in his native France. With exceptional insight and sympathy, David Cairns draws together the major strands of Berlioz''s life: his tempestuous marriage to the actress Harriet Smithson; the genesis of his famous works, including the Requiem, Romeo and Juliet and his crowning masterpiece The Trojans; his friendships with Mendelssohn, Liszt, Princess Wittgenstein and Wagner; and, finally, his last years haunted once again by personal tragedy. Here, as never before, is Berlioz the artist - and the man.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"With a keen ear attuned to both musical and historical salience, Kinderman reveals the animating presence of the political in almost every aspect of Beethoven's life, his work, and his legacy. In doing so, he illuminates the crucial context from which to assess Beethoven's astonishing achievement of a moral ideal that has resounded from the Age of Revolution to our own times."--Scott Burnham, City University of New York "Kinderman has written a fresh and fascinating book packed with intriguing thoughts and unexpected alignments about how Beethoven's politics translated themselves into Beethoven's music. This is a book that awakens the reader not only with its content, but with the love and enthusiasm of its author."--Patrick Summers, artistic and music director, Houston Grand Opera "This book is a timely contribution to the current trend towards interpreting art primarily in political terms. Placing his aesthetic commentary in a well-grounded biographical and historical context, Kinderman illuminates the political aspects of Beethoven's life and outlook. He goes on to discuss the ways in which a number of Beethoven's important works reflect the composer's lifelong belief in freedom and progress as both personal and universal values."--Lewis Lockwood, author of 'Beethoven: The Music and the Life'Table of ContentsPreface I. A Tale of Two Cities: Bonn to Vienna II. The Sublime and Inverted Sublime III. Beethoven in Heiligenstadt IV. Path to the Eroica V. Leonore as “Angel of Freedom” VI. From Grätz to Wagram and Leipzig VII. A Double Chill: Beethoven in Metternich’s Vienna VIII. Then and Now: The Ninth Symphony Acknowledgments List of Illustrations and Examples Note about Abbreviations Sources and Documents Index

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Book SynopsisJoseph Haydn is one of the greatest and most innovative of all composers, yet in some ways he is still curiously misunderstood. This engaging new Pocket Guide assesses what Haydn''s music means to us today, and challenges some of the myths that have grown up around the composer. With suggestions for further reading and recommended CD recordings, Richard Wigmore''s crisp and concise guide presents you with all you need to listen to and enjoy Haydn''s music. It explores each of his key works, from his symphonies to his quartets, from his choral works to his sonatas, and invites a new generation of listeners to discover the depth and dazzling ingenuity of this most humane and life-affirming of composers.

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Book SynopsisIn 2008 Paul Robertson, the renowned violinist and leader of the Medici Quartet, suffered a ruptured aorta. After dying for a lengthy period on the operating table, he remained in a coma for many weeks. During this time, he experienced visions which afforded him profound insights and when he awoke, he found his understanding of the world fundamentally altered. This surprising and rewarding memoir offers a fascinating perspective on creative endeavour: the rigours of learning, the challenges of performance and the spiritual nourishment that drives us on. It is a poignant and wise book that draws on a lifetime of experiences, in both life and death.

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Book SynopsisHow does music reflect the key moments in our lives? How do we choose the works that inspire, delight, comfort or console? Fiona Maddocks selects 100 classical works from across nine centuries, arguing passionately, persuasively and at times obstinately for their inclusion, putting each work in its cultural and musical context, discussing omissions, suggesting alternatives and always putting the music first.

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents7 Years (Lukas Graham); Air On The G String (J.S. Bach); All I Ask (Adele); All Through The Night (Trad.); Ave Maria (Schubert); Bella’s Lullaby (from Twilight); Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley); Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol); The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole); City Of Stars (from La La Land); Cradle Song (Schumann); Cry Me A River (Michael Bublé); Dance Monkey (Tones & I); Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart); Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye (Cole Porter); Feeling Good (Nina Simone); Greensleeves (Trad.); Hedwig’s Theme (from Harry Potter); The House Of The Rising Sun (Trad.); I Vow To Thee, My Country (Holst); I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston); Imagine (John Lennon); Is That Alright (from A Star Is Born); La Caroline (C.P.E. Bach); Largo (Dvorák); The Lord Is My Shepherd/Psalm 23 (from The Vicar Of Dibley); Love Me Like You Do (Ellie Goulding); May It Be (Enya); Memory (from Cats!); Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven); No Surprises (Radiohead); Not About Angels (Birdy); On The Street Where You Live (from My Fair Lady); Over The Rainbow (from The Wizard Of Oz); Pavane, Op. 50 (Fauré); Prelude in A major (Chopin); Ride (21 Pilots); The Rose (Westlife); Sandcastles (Beyoncé); Scales and Arpeggios (from The Aristocats); Scarborough Fair (Trad.); Skye Boat Song (Trad.); Space Oddity (David Bowie); Star Wars Theme (John Williams); They Can’t Take That Away From Me (Gershwin); Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran); Tomorrow (from Annie); Walk Me Home (Pink); When I Fall In Love (Nat King Cole); Winter Wonderland (Etta James); Your Song (Elton John)

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Book SynopsisEvgeny Kissin''s musicality, the depth and poetic quality of his interpretations, and his extraordinary virtuosity have earned him the veneration and admiration deserved only by one of the most gifted classical pianists of his generation. He is internationally renowned and hugely admired for his interpretations of the works of the classical and Romantic repertoire of Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Brahms, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev. He is in demand the world over, and has appeared with many of the world''s great conductors, as well as all the great orchestras of the world. In Memoirs and Reflections, the intensity of Kissin''s thinking and of his very being shines through, which displays his astonishing memory, fondness for his family and teachers, and an exalted sense of self that is essentially Russian.Trade ReviewThe title is right: it's a blend of some of the highlights of his life, musical and otherwise, along with Kissin's thoughts on a variety of topics from the nature of humanity to the meaning of liberty in Russia to his views of other musicians -- Stephen Pollard * JEWISH CHRONICLE *

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Book Synopsis(String Duet). Designed for violinists familiar with first position and comfortable reading basic rhythms, each two-page arrangement in this collection includes a violin 1 and violin 2 part, with each taking a turn at playing the melody for a fun and challenging ensemble experience. Songs include: All of Me * Hello * Just the Way You Are * Let It Go * Love Yourself * Ophelia * Riptide * Say Something * Shake It Off * Story of My Life * Take Me to Church * Thinking Out Loud * Wake Me Up! * and more.

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Book Synopsis'Sharply insightful and vividly imaginative... the perfect Christmas gift for anyone asking: 'How do I get into classical music?'' - Rupert Christiansen, Mail on Sunday'A treat from the very first page... written with style and humour, this is a perfect introduction to classical music for a beginner, a companion for the music lover, and sheer entertainment for both.' - Joanna LumleyNearly all of us have the capacity to enjoy classical music but too often we are put off by not knowing where to look, or what we are actually looking for. We feel the need of a guide to help navigate such vast and varied artistic terrain.With this delightful book, historian Tim Bouverie provides just this. Drawing on his lifelong passion for music, he has created a compilation of 100 classical masterpieces sure to move and be enjoyed by almost anyone. Some are well-known, some more idiosyncratic, others hidden gems waiting to be brought into the light. All are intended to comfort and inspire. He provides a short introduction to each piece - variously anecdotal, personal, historical and quirky - and a recommended recording to try.Highly accessible and entertaining, Perfect Pitch is filled with engrossing stories and insights that bring to life 300 years of the world's greatest music.An accompanying playlist is available on Spotify.

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Book SynopsisSatie's music and ideas are inextricably linked with the City of Light. This book situates Satie's work within the context and sonic environment of contemporary Paris. Erik Satie's (1866-1925) music appeals to wide audiences and has influenced both experimental artists and pop musicians. Little about Satie was conventional, and he resists classification under easy headings such as "classical music". Instead of pursuing the path of a professional composer, Satie initially earned a living as a café pianist and moved in bohemian circles which prized satire, popular culture and experiment. Small wonder that his music is fundamentally new in conception. It is music which is not always designed to be listened to attentively: music which can be machine-like but is to be played by humans. For Satie, music was part of a wider concept of artistic creation,as evidenced by his collaborations with leading avant-garde artists and in works which cross traditional genre boundaries such as his texted piano pieces. His music was created in some of the most exciting and creatively stimulating environments of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century: Montmartre and Montparnasse. Paris was the artistic centre of Europe, and Satie was a notorious figure whose music and ideas are inextricably linked with the City of Light. This book situates Satie's work within the context and sonic environment of contemporary Paris. It shows that the influence of street music, musicians and poets interested in new technology, contemporary innovations and radical politics are all crucial to an understanding of Satie. Music from the ever-popular Gymnopédies to newly discovered works are discussed, and an online supplement features rare pieces recorded especially for the book. CAROLINE POTTER is Reader in Music at Kingston University London. A graduate in both French and Music, she has published widely on French music since Debussy and was Series Advisor to the Philharmonia Orchestra's Paris2014-15 season.Trade ReviewA delightful and informative take on Erik Satie's life and works...Potter's biography presents readers with a cultural history: they will revel in learning more not only about Satie and his music, but also about fin-de-siècle Paris's sonic environment, artistic movements and social trends, which she argues shaped Satie's music... A book that will certainly delight a broad range of readers, from music scholars and French historians, to those in the general public interested in discovering more about one of France's most enigmatic composers. * REVUE DE MUSICOLOGIE *Potter's book is well written and she supports her knowledge of Satie with her fluency in the French language, as a result of which she is able to discuss the nuances and double entendres of Satie's texted piano works. . . . The primary sources Potter found, and includes in her study, are reason enough to read this book. . . . [A]n important contribution indeed. * ECHO *Potter's book is especially timely, participating in the recent trend of rethinking early twentieth-century composers . . . within their historical and social contexts. . . . [Her] writing is accessible and engaging. . . . [P]rovides a fresh and nuanced take on a popular but complicated composer. It would be a welcome addition to any library. * NOTES: JOURNAL OF THE MUSIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION *Essential reading. * CLASSICAL MUSIC *No academic library should be without it and both Satie's admirers and detractors will find many thoughtful insights. * FONTES ARTIS MUSICAE *Potter's scholarly and engaging book brings out the ways in which Satie's music...absorbed the 'sonic environment' of the city. * SUNDAY TIMES *This is a fascinating tour of Satie's richly bizarre Parisian environment, offering new and valuable insights for both listeners and performers. * [FOUR STARS] BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE *Anyone seriously interested in Satie needs this well-produced, reasonably priced, lucidly expressed and impressively researched book. * MUSICAL OPINION *[A] welcome new study. * LITERARY REVIEW *'This brilliant and accessible new study of Satie gets right inside his contemporary Parisian world, relating its complex and fast-changing artistic climate to scientific and social issues, and most importantly to mechanical and street music. Dr Potter's painstaking and wide research brings many new discoveries too, and leaves us with a clearer vision of what the enigmatic Satie was really about. -- Emeritus Professor Robert Orledge, University of LiverpoolTable of ContentsPreface: Erik Satie, a Parisian composer and his world Personalia Chronology and worklist Satie in Montmartre: mechanical music in the Belle Epoque Futurism, the new avant-garde and mechanical music Satie's texted piano works Repetition and furniture music Science, society and politics in Satie's life The provocative Satie and the Dada connection Satie's death and musical legacy Bibliography

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Book SynopsisThis is a book to appeal to a wide range of readers - pianists of every level from beginner to professional, piano teachers, musicians of all kinds, and the broader community of music-lovers. In Speaking the Piano, renowned pianist Susan Tomes turns her attention to teaching and learning. Teaching music encompasses everything from putting a drum in a child's hands to helping an accomplished musician unlock the meaning and spirit of the classics. At every stage, some fundamental issues keep surfacing. In this wide-ranging book, Susan Tomes reflects on how her own experience as a learner, in different genres from classical to jazz, hasinfluenced her approach to teaching. She tells us how her performing career has given her insight into what young performers need to know, and how discussions with students have fed into her own practice. She describes the brilliant and intriguing teachers whose masterclasses opened her ears to the many ways in which music can be brought alive and communicated. This is a book to appeal to a wide range of readers - pianists of every level from beginnerto professional, piano teachers, musicians of all kinds, and the broader community of music-lovers. In a passionate contribution to the ongoing debate about the place of music in education, Susan Tomes argues that this most inspiring of arts can play a unique role in personal development. This is a lovely, wise, elegantly written book, filled with tips and anecdotes which could be helpful and encouraging for any pianist, whether a beginner or aprofessional. Above all it is a book in which one senses constantly the deep love the author has for music itself, for its ability to inspire, touch and, indeed, change lives. STEPHEN HOUGH SUSAN TOMES is a multi-award-winning pianist whose career encompasses solo, duo and chamber music playing; she has been at the heart of the internationally admired ensembles Domus, the Gaudier Ensemble and the Florestan Trio. Her lecture-recitals have enabled many listeners to engage with the classics on a new level. She is the author of four acclaimed books about performance: Beyond the Notes (Boydell Press 2004), A Musician's Alphabet (Faber, 2006), Out of Silence (Boydell Press, 2010), and Sleeping in Temples (Boydell Press, 2014).Trade ReviewTomes is at ease with the paradox of writing about music, that most ineffable of art forms...language can be the key that unlocks a player's musical imagination. * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *[T]he perfect book to read in preparation for another year of music lessons. Susan Tomes is an inspirational and transparent author who writes clearly and beautifully about her passions for music, education and life-long learning. . . . A teacher who is intelligent, curious and non-intimidated by potent powers of observation is bound to spark the same qualities in students of succeeding generations. Reading this book will be a catalyst for the generational transition. * AMERICAN MUSIC TEACHER *This is the 5th book for renowned pianist and teacher Susan Tomes. After reading this one, I am eager to seek out and find the other 4! . . . . [Tomes] writes from the perspective of a professional performer but also that of a lifelong learner. It is clear that she is passionate about passing on her knowledge to others. From the first pages of the introduction I was captivated by Tomes' observations -- statements which sound obvious when first considered but with profound depth upon further reflection. . . .This is a gem of a book with . . . much to linger over, take notes, underline, and read again. I highly recommend it to any teacher or learner. * THE CANADIAN MUSIC TEACHER [Dina Pollock] *A worthwhile read for music teachers, students and anyone looking for ways to enrich their own musical journey. * LIMELIGHT *Drawing on her long experience, pianist Susan Tomes investigates, with crystalline clarity, some of the interferences that disrupt the flow between players and their music. The text is studded with gems of insight, encapsulating elusive matters that often defy articulation, including difficult topics such as unconscious biases against female teachers, or why some performers ham up their playing for the YouTube generation. A must-read for anyone who plays or loves the piano. * SUNDAY TIMES, BEST CLASSICAL MUSIC BOOKS OF 2018 *Learning to play the piano well is about more than getting the notes right. Drawing on a career in chamber music and teaching, Susan Tomes casts her eye over everything from classic TV comedy to Japanese cherry blossom in an all-embracing exploration of how to make music come alive. * THE FINANCIAL TIMES, BEST BOOKS OF 2018 *Tomes' curiosity leads her to some fascinating insights, especially the role of the imagination in music...underlining the magic of music and just how elusive some of its elements are. * CLASSICAL MUSIC *Tomes draws on her experience as both a performer and teacher as well as her interactions with adult amateur pianists in the Piano Club... Her wisdom is evident on every page and her writing is, as always, eloquent and intelligent... and gives encouragement to those who may find learning the piano at once wonderful and also frustrating. An engaging and engrossing read for music teachers, musicians and music lovers alike. -- Fran Wilson * THE CROSS-EYED PIANIST *Susan Tomes's tone of voice is inquisitive, energetic, entrepreneurial, gently provocative... Above all - and this is the great value of 'Speaking the Piano' - she dispenses insight and information with grace and clarity. The precepts she articulates are equally applicable to all instrumentalists - and indeed musicians of every kind, professional and amateur. * GRAMOPHONE *Susan Tomes's insights as a performer and teacher are fully matched by her literary eloquence: at the piano or on the page, her style is marked by undemonstrative, perceptive and elegant turns of phrase, in every sense...any music lovers would find fascination and entertainment here: there are gems on every page. Five Stars. -- Jessica Duchen * BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE *Table of ContentsIntroduction Enlisting the imagination Pretending to be other people Why don't people play better? Grappling with the instrument Words and signs Tempo is character Connecting the beats Sensing the style Imagery, positive and negative Different physiques The inescapability of one's own nature What we talk about in lessons The benefit of hindsight Fusion cooking 'You'll find the black notes play louder than the white ones' 'For me this is like jazz' Is playing the notes enough to reveal the music? To sway or not to sway? How important is it to hear the sound? Beethoven among the Alpine flowers Not all those who wander are lost The sound of two hands clapping Music lights up the brain Epilogue

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Book SynopsisThe hidden history of the women who dared to write music in a man’s world. ‘Lucid, engaging and exuberant... [Sounds and Sweet Airs] is terrifically enjoyable and accessible, and leaves one hankering for a second volume.’ The Sunday Times Francesca Caccini. Barbara Strozzi. Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre. Marianna Martines. Fanny Hensel. Clara Schumann. Lili Boulanger. Elizabeth Maconchy. Since the birth of classical music, women who dared compose have faced a bitter struggle to be heard. In spite of this, female composers continued to create, inspire and challenge. Yet even today so much of their work languishes unheard. Anna Beer reveals the highs and lows experienced by eight composers across the centuries, from Renaissance Florence to twentieth-century London, restoring to their rightful place exceptional women whom history has forgotten.Trade Review‘Beer’s writing is lucid, engaging and exuberant, strongly evoking the cultures and atmospheres that surrounded her subjects…the book in general is terrifically enjoyable and accessible, and leaves one hankering for a second volume.’ * Sunday Times *‘A meticulously researched, engrossing read, vividly bringing its eight subjects to life. It should appeal not only to music connoisseurs but to anyone interested in social and cultural history – and women’s place in it.’ * Financial Times *‘Such traits, as Beer laments, are still with us…All the more important, then, for excellent books like this one to remind us of what we are all missing’. * Catholic Herald *'Offers vivid, colourful context on a situation that is echoed back through the centuries…Readable and wide-ranging, Beer's deft sketches are an elegant introduction to their subjects'. * Spectator *'Never less than highly readable'. * Classical Music *‘Rewarding…insightful…Beer conveys the sexism and lifelong frustrations some immensely gifted creative artists encountered.’ * New York Times *'Beer's meticulously researched book is a vital step in the battle to overturn that ultimate injustice'. * Observer *'Beer has an eye for detail, and gives us a vivid sense of the stratagems these gifted, determined women had to employ'. * Sunday Telegraph *'In this riveting book Anna Beer wades through centuries of prejudice from the fear of women composing at all…to the persistent unwillingness to perform, discuss or distribute their music'. * BBC Music Magazine *''[A] stimulating and engaging book, written with passionate enthusiasm and a light touch'. * Literary Review *‘I am constantly in search of books that explore the lives of women who have been dismissed or overlooked by history, and this is what makes Anna Beer's latest book a total godsend. Sounds and Sweet Airs is an intoxicating historical examination of the way gender has shaped what we consider to be canonical... Beer’s impassioned overview delves into the hopes, motivations, and struggles each woman faced as she attempted to pursue her vocation while coping with the “boys club” mentality of their respective music communities.’ Lenny Letter’s Lit Thursday * Lenny Letter’s Lit Thursday *‘Books could be written about composers denied a place in the classical canon because of ethnicity or class or religion, but that doesn’t negate the truth and importance of Sounds and Sweet Airs’. * Gramophone *‘Beer’s snapshot lives of women composers are savvy, sympathetic... [an] essential and insightful study of a woman’s unsung place in the closed world of classical music.’ * Wall Street Journal *‘An engaging read and…contains a powerful and timely message’. * History Today *‘This is a truly inspiring and fascinating book... Female composers today no longer need to feel there is anything to stop them creating music and forging a career as a composer – if there is still any doubt, then just read Sounds and Sweet Airs.’ -- Debbie Wiseman MBE – Classic FM’s Composer in Residence‘A rich, revealing study of the lives of eight outstanding female composers...Long overdue, this book includes a list of recommended listening for each composer, a glossary of musical terms, and suggestions for further reading.This important work furthers cultural understanding of the history of female composers.’ * CHOICE magazine *‘A fascinating and refreshing rescue of a few well-chosen exemplars from the worthy but dull hands of musicologists... Thrilling.’ -- Natalie Wheen, former presenter on BBC Radio and Classic FM‘Both feminist analyst and fluent biographer, Beer makes engrossing and cogent cases for her subjects. She concludes that the proof of their art lies in the hearing and recommends recent recordings.’ * Booklist *‘This book is a delight. Eight striking composers are reinstated in musical history, thanks to Anna Beer’s energetic research and lively writing.’ -- Nicola LeFanu, composer and Professor Emeritus, University of York‘A fascinating glimpse into the world of the women whose music we should know and be hearing in the canon.’ -- Charlotte Bray, winner of the Lili Boulanger Memorial Prize 2014 and composer of At the Speed of Stillness‘Elegantly written, Sounds and Sweet Airs offers compelling evidence of the prejudices against women composers’ aspirations across the centuries.’ -- Rhian Samuel, Composer and Professor Emeritus, City University London‘An important book... groundbreaking and entertaining... This book should be required reading not just for those interested in cultural history, but for anyone wishing to understand the perception of women in the modern era.’ -- Professor Steven Parissien – Director, Compton Verney‘Anna Beer’s eloquent and passionately argued narrative builds on the most up-to-date scholarship and makes an irresistible case for listening again to the work of women who were among the most admired musicians of their age. Much more than simply an attempt to balance the historical record, Sounds and Sweet Airs is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand music’s power and the politics of gender and sexuality that promoted, shaped and silenced women’s compositional careers from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.’ -- Professor Daniel Grimley, Merton College, Oxford‘Absorbing ... [Beer] writes with rich detail and sympathetic insight about [these women's] ambitious, adventurous battles to overcome barriers to creativity.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Serious students of music and women's history will want to add this title to their required reading lists.’ * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisComposer and broadcaster Jack Pepper introduces the world of classical music - and its colourful characters - as you've never seen it before... LET'S ROCK!Take a tour of musical history, and learn your timbre from your tempo, your tuba from your cello and your symphony from your concerto. Rub shoulders with 20 great composers - including child prodigy Mozart, pioneering musician Florence Price and film score composer Hans Zimmer - and find out what it really takes to write a timeless classical hit!Listen as you read, using the playlist inside, with over 40 classical pieces covering 1,000 years of music. The story doesn't stop here, as Classical continues to influence music today and future sounds. Informal, funny and written with infectious enthusiasm, this book is sure to inspire the budding composer in every reader and open up this dazzling world of music to new fans.

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Book SynopsisGet to know classical masterpieces: Within this series you will find a simple arrangement for piano of The Carnival of the Animals, a wonderful composition by Camille Saint-Saëns. As they are presented in this great zoological fantasy', we hear the animals getting together to celebrate a carnival party. With explanatory texts and fully coloured illustrations, the edition is aimed at young and adult pianists. The easily playable arrangements and original pieces provide an ideal introduction to this work.Instrumentation:Piano

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Book SynopsisFederico Fiorillo''s 36 Studies (Caprices) for Violin solo.36 Etüden (Capricen) für ViolineFederico Fiorillos 36 Etüden (Caprices) für Violine Solo.

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Book SynopsisFranz Wohlfahrt''s (1833-1884) 60 Studies Op. 45 are among the most famous progressive studies for beginner and advancing violinists. It contains 60 studies for violin in the revision by Hans Sitt. The volume includes a useful explanation of the signs used throughout the studies. If practiced carefully and intelligently, they will serve as a solid foundation for the technique of any player ambitious to become an artist. Franz Wohlfahrt.60 Etüden op. 45 für ViolineDie Wohlfahrt-Etüden sind ein Standardwerk für die Technikschulung des etwas fortgeschrittenen Violinspielers. Trainiert wird hierbei die Fingergeläufigkeit unter verschiedenen bogentechnischen Voraussetzungen. Intonatorische Aufmerksamkeit wird hierbei bis zur 3. Lage gefordert.

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Book SynopsisFor many years orchestras and conservatories have wanted a practical and easily accessible edition of the orchestral passages required at auditions. An orchestral musician is expected to know and to have mastered not only the solo literature of his instrument but especially the opera and concert repertoire as well. The present edition contains those passages which a musician is expected to have at his or her command before being accepted into an orchestra. Unlike the many existing orchestral studies, this collection focuses on the material commonly used in auditions. It thus forms a foundation for the practical training of young orchestral musicians, and serves professional musicians as a means of practicing difficult passages.This project was initiated at the behest of the German Music Council and the German conservatories. It is based on statistical studies carried out by the German Union of Orchestras and from many years of professional experience gained by the editors the

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Book SynopsisDie in der Romantik neu entstandene Gattung der Operette hatte bis Johann Strauß erst wenige Vertreter. Jedoch war und ist die kleine Schwester der Oper ein beliebtes Abendprogramm, mit der man viel Erfolg haben konnte. Der Librettist der musikalischen Komödie, Richard Genée, nahm sich die französische Operette Le Réveillon zum Vorbild, das wiederum auf dem deutschen Theaterstück Das Gefängnis basiert. In der Geschichte lügen sich die Charaktere gegenseitig an, um sich selbst besser darzustellen oder Affären zu verdecken, und auf einem Ball treffen alle Unwahrheiten aufeinander. Richard Strauß schmückt diese illustre Erzählung mit schwungvoller Musik, und nicht umsonst ist die Operette Die Fledermaus eine der beliebtesten Beispiele ihrer Gattung.Die Fledermaus (Vocal Score)Johanne Strauss'' Die Fledermaus for Voice and Piano.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe Sleeping Soul is an atmospheric five-minute piece for SATB choir with organ, at times evoking the mystery of the text and at other moments expressing joy contained in it. It was composed for the Bath Abbey Music Society in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Abbey Girls Choir in 2017. The work sets a text by the Christian medieval mystic St Mechthild of Magdeburg (c.1207c.1297).

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Book SynopsisBorn in Versailles, Rodolphe Kreutzer initially learned violin from his father, a violinist at the Royal Chapel, and subsequently from Anton Stamitz. In 1795 Kreutzer began a thirty-year career as violin teacher at the Paris Conservatory and, from 1801 was the principal violin at the Paris Opéra. Kreutzer''s importance as a pedagogue, the founder of the French School of violin playing, is revealed in his educational materials. This volume of Kreutzer''s 42 Etudes of Caprices edited by Friedrich Hermann is a cornerstone of any aspiring violinist''s library.42 Etüden (Capricen) für ViolineDie Etüden dieser Sammlung stammen aus der Feder des Violinisten und Komponisten Rodolphe Kreutzer. Neben einigen Werken für Orchester und die Bühne veröffentlichte der Professor für Violinspiel 42 Übungsstücke, die bis heute vielen Violinschülern bekannt sind.Herausgeber Friedrich Hermann fügte in dieser Ausgabe eine zweite, ergänzende Stimme hinzu.

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Book Synopsis(Educational Piano Library). Piano Fun Classical Favorites for Adult Beginners is a collection of lead sheets and arrangements for the beginning pianist who has learned to read music and wants to play easy arrangements of familiar melodies. The price of this book includes access to beautifully orchestrated accompaniments for every song and a separate track for the lead sheet and realized arrangement. These accompaniments are available for download or streaming using the unique code printed inside the book. Includes: Canon in D * Carmen Suite No. 1 (Intermezzo) * Etude, Op. 10, No. 3 * Evening Prayer * Fur Elise * Largo * Liebestraum (Dream of Love) * O Mio Babbino Caro * Piano Sonata No. 14 ("Moonlight") * Polovetzian Dance * Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini * Sheep May Safely Graze * Swan Lake * To a Wild Rose.

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Book SynopsisThe object of this work is to furnish young players with as easy an introduction as possible to the art of playing on the pianoforte wrote Ferdinand Beyer in the preface to his Elementary Method, which has been a cornerstone of the piano education literature since it first appeared in 1860, and contains much essential technique and theory for the young and beginner musician. This classic publication is a must-have for any aspiring pianist.Vorschule im Klavierspiel op. 101Pianist und Komponist Ferdinand Beyer legte mit seiner Vorschule im Klavierspiel die Grundlage von so vielen mehr oder weniger erfolgreichen Musikkarrieren. Bis heute wird die Vorschule im Klavierunterricht genutzt und während seine anderen Werke mit der Zeit aus dem Gedächtnis verschwunden sind, hält sie sich weiterhin. Der Aufbau ist zweigeteilt, der erste Grad befasst sich mit allgemeiner Musiklehre und ersten Versuchen im ein- und zweihändigen Spiel, im zweiten Grad lernt der Schül

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsSometimes Someone; Destiny of Love; Lost in Island; Shining Smile; Spring Waltz; River Flows in You; Joy; 27 May; The Sunbeams, They Scatter; I; If I Could See You Again; It’s Your Day; Kiss The Rain; Lord Hold My Hand

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Book SynopsisA new edition of Adam Zamoyski's definitive biography of Chopin, first published in 1979 and unavailable in English for many years.Few composers elicit such strong emotions as Chopin. Few have been more revered and cherished. And few have had so much sentimental nonsense written about them.Published to coincide with the bicentenary of Chopin''s birth, Adam Zamoyski''s compelling new biography cuts through the mass of anecdote and myth that has sprung up around the composer''s life and the ebullient and striking personalities of Romantic Paris among whom he lived, including Liszt, Berlioz, Victor Hugo and George Sand, in search of the real Chopin.Zamoyski brings to the subject an unrivalled knowledge of the historical, social and cultural background of the composer''s native Poland as well as of the France in which he spent most of his creative life. He has scoured the archives of Warsaw, Krakow, Paris and London in his quest for the truth, and has based his account exclusively on primaTrade Review'A close, intimate and thoroughly absorbing portrait … Zamoyski has written a thoughtful, lively and moving account of an extraordinary and exceptional man.' Mail on Sunday 'Those seeking to revisit the genius of the man who Camille Saint-Saens described as "the sweet evening star that shone for only a moment" could do no better than to have this book at their side.' Daily Telegraph 'A fine study of the composer's life and career … Zamoyski's highly readable account brings non-technical insights into the music itself and he is superb at conveying what is known as Chopin's own playing.' Sunday Telegraph 'As ever, the historian writes with absolute assurance about the politics and culture of his ancestral homeland … Zamoyski recounts the private life, and public events, with ringing authority.' Independent 'Zamoyski is terrific at probing the subtle contradictions of Chopin.' Evening Standard

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Book SynopsisThe Classical Music Encylopedia, now fully updated, traces the development of Western music from medieval times through to the twenty-first century. Each chapter begins with an Introduction to the era, followed by an A to Z of the key composers and musicians of the era, with an expert's recommended recording for each entry. Within these, the musical greats – from Mozart to Stravinksy – have more extensive entries. The Styles and Forms sections discuss the many different styles of music, from the earliest notation to the minimalism of the twentieth century, while the development of each era's Instruments is also extensively investigated. Written by many of the world's leading experts in the field, this invaluable encyclopedia is comprehensive, easy-to-use and highly informative – an essential guide for readers of all levels.

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Book SynopsisBach for Violin contains a varied collection of 14 attractive and popular pieces arranged for upper-intermediate standard violinists (Grades 5-7), exploring a range of keys, finger patterns, styles, and moods. The collection covers simpler dance movements and chorale melodies, as well as the solo Gigue from the Partita in E major. Other popular pieces include arrangements of Jesu, Joy of Man''s Desiring and the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria. Each piece is accompanied by background footnotes explaining provenance and points of style.Trade ReviewKathy and David Blackwell have produced an entirely appropriate and beautiful collection for students of the violin to discover and enjoy . . . There are arrangements of arias . . . which contain passages that are so perfect for the violin that it is hard to believe they weren't originally conceived with the instrument in mind. . . . Audio files of the piano accompaniments are available to download (free of charge) from the Blackwells' website, which also contains - what a fantastic and generous idea - cello parts as an alternative or additional part for some of the pieces . . . This is an absolute gem of a book. It is beautifully set out and easy to read, the suggested fingerings are helpful and the choice of repertoire is stimulating and inspiring . . . it contains pieces which are accessible enough to inspire and enthuse, as well as those which will challenge and extend . . . In short, this is thoroughly recommended. * Celia Cobb, The Strad, March 2019 *

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Book SynopsisA visual storytelling celebration of American roots music in its rich variety, through unseen and newly scanned photographs by the founder of the legendary Arhoolie records. Founded in 1960 by Chris Strachwitz, the one-man operation of Arhoolie Records eventually produced more than 400 albums during more than forty years in operation, exploring the far corners of American vernacular music - blues, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, hillbilly, Texas-Mexican norteno music, and more. From the very beginning, Strachwitz brought his camera along with recording equipment as he met and recorded now-legendary artists such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Clifton Chenier, and Big Joe Williams. This book collects more than 150 of his best, most intimate and exciting images - many never-before seen - each with rich captions by Strachwitz and award-winning music journalist Joel Selvin, along with a substantial 20,000 word essay about Arhoolie, Strachwitz, and the music by Selvin.

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Book SynopsisEric Siblin is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker, and was the pop music critic at the Montreal Gazette. The Cello Suites is his first book.www.ericsiblin.comTrade ReviewIn Siblin's world, Bach and Casals have real, beating hearts... He brings an unstuffy freshness to the often staid world of classical music writing... This book reminds us of the joy of exploration, of finding glorious things in the least likely places -- Suzy Klein * New Statesman *Bach and Casal's stories are lucidly, even grippingly, told * Daily Telegraph *A passionate ode to the joy of discovery... He doesn't patronise and writes about Bach for a reader like himself - who wants to know more but doesn't know where to start... What a gift -- Natalie Clein * The Times *A work of ever-percolating interest...tirelessly enthusiastic * New York Times *One of the most extraordinary, clever, beautiful, and impeccably researched books I have read in years * Simon Winchester *

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Book SynopsisDemonstrating the range and popularity of Bach piano transcriptions during the early twentieth century, this collection contains exuberant fantasias and fugues, gentle transcriptions from instrumental works, and popular chorales. Includes introductory notes by the celebrated pianist and broadcaster David Owen Norris.Trade ReviewThis companion volume to A Bach Book for Harriet Cohen is an absolute gem . . . OUP are to be congratulated for re-issuing this amazing collection which pianists will enjoy adding to their repertoire of transcriptions. * Melvyn Cooper, Piano Professional, Autumn 2013 *Table of ContentsWachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers, Wake) ; Siciliano (Sonata in E flat for Flute and Harpsichord) ; Pastorella in F major, mov. 3 ; In dulci jubilo (In sweet rejoicing) ; Bist du bei mir (If thou art near) ; Christ lag in Todes Banden (Christ lay in death's bonds) ; Jesu, bleibet meine Freude (Jesu, joy of man's desiring) ; Seht, was die Liebe tut (See what his love can do) ; Sarabande (Cello Suite in D major) ; Ertodt' uns durch dein' Gute (Sanctify us by thy goodness) ; Pastorella in F major, mov. 4 ; Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (Beloved Jesu, we are here) ; Fugue in G minor ; Was Gott thut, das ist wohlgethan (What God hath done is rightly done) ; Adagio (Toccata, Adagio, and Fugue in C major) ; Wenn wir in hochsten Noten sein (When we are in greatest need) ; Es ist das Heil uns kommen her (Salvation now has come for all)

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewGeorge Stauffer takes us on a compelling journey through Bach's life and the organs he played, providing a rich and fascinating context for his organ music. The author discusses each work, incorporating information from recent discoveries that broaden our understanding of how the iconic compositions were disseminated and performed. Stauffer's study is a must-read for anyone interested in Bach's music for the organ! * Kimberly Marshall, Goldman Endowed Professor of Organ, Arizona State University *Stauffer's fascinating introduction to Bach's Organ Works combines decades of familiarity with Bach's organ music as a practicing organist with the deep erudition of a music historian. The book sheds new light on the musical and social contexts of Bach's organ music and provides a unique perspective of the place of the organ works in Bach's own artistic development. The book will be indispensable for performers, listeners, and music historians." -=-Markus Rathey, Yale UniversityGeorge Stauffer has been at the forefront of researching Bach's organ music for about fifty years. His new book on all the composer's organ works not only provides an up-to-date and useful chronological overview but also many new details and insightful observations. * Christoph Wolff, Adams University Professor Emeritus, Harvard University *

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Book SynopsisNed Rorem is celebrated as one of America''s greatest living composers. His diary of his early years, The Paris Diary and the New York Diary , was widely acclaimed. The Later Diaries continues one of the most sustained efforts in the intimate journal form ever undertaken and offers candid insights into his astonishing life, career, art, friendships, and love. In these years, Lions, Miss Julie, and Poems of Love and the Rain were composed and most of his books written he also continued to meet the famous and infamous and to write of them with the charm that Janet Flanner characterized as worldly, intelligent, licentious, highly indiscreet.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and fascinating study of the overall creative output of Johann Sebastian Bach, capturing the essence of his art.Trade Review"If Wolff's first book, could be described in its simplest terms as "Bach in his world ', his second is "Bach in eternity"." -- Lindsay Kemp - Gramophone"…a very welcome and scholarly complement to the earlier biography that focuses more intensely on the music itself, the thought and compositional processes that created it… As we have come to expect from Professor Wolff, the book is meticulously prepared, supported by numerous tables, footnotes, and extensive bibliography. Readers will be particularly drawn to the detailed chronology, clearly set out for easy reference and fascinating reading in itself." -- Margaret Steinitz - Journal of the London Bach Society

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThis practical guide for flautists provides a survey of the instrument - its development, its technique, its repertoire and its literature - between 1700 and 1900. Each issue is set in a musical context and technical and stylistic matters such as fingering, tone production, articulation, ornamentation, vibrato, expression and delivery are examined in depth, applying evidence from historical sources to the standard flute repertoire. A series of case studies offers detailed interpretations of music by Hotteterre, Handel, Bach, Gluck, Mozart and Boehm. As an internationally recognised soloist, orchestral player and teacher of modern and historical flutes, Rachel Brown brings a wealth of experience to amateurs and professionals alike, encouraging stylistic awareness through an understanding of the way in which composers and flautists approached instruments of the past. Copious music examples, illustrations, fingering charts and bibliographies make this a standard reference book for both 'pTrade Review'… demonstrates a profound knowledge of the flute's history, and of the changes in performance style and technique.' Early Music Today'This is an excellent study …well written and easily accessible … Rachel Brown has done an excellent job. This practical guide can enrich recorder players' knowledge and should be consulted widely.' The Recorder Magazine'A highly informative, readable and welcome additions to the Cambridge Handbooks Historical Performance of Music series. It will prove invaluable both as a quick-reference guide and a general introduction to the early flute.' The ConsortTable of Contents1. Historical sources; 2. The development of the flute, 1700–1900; 3. Technique; 4. Style; 5. Case studies: Hotteterre, Handel, J. S. Bach, Gluck, Mozart, Boehm.

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