Entertainment Books

Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERWho made the phone call that got HBO to launchthe show? What's the significance of all those eggs? And, what the hell ever happened to the Russian? In Woke Up This Morning, Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripahave all the answers and they're revealing where all the bodies are buried.Inspired by the incredibly successful Talking Sopranos podcast, The Sopranos stars Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) and Steve Schirripa (Bobby Baccalieri) finally reveal all the Soprano family secrets in a surprising, funny, and honest new book. Woke Up This Morning is the definitive behind-the-scenes history of the groundbreaking HBO series that became a worldwide cultural phenomenon, ushered in a new Golden Age of Television, and to this day continues to be one of the most binged shows of all time.Michael and Steve tell all the incredible stories that The Sopranos fans have been waiting to hear for over twenty years. The book covers the entire history of The SopranTrade Review‘I will be reading and rereading Woke Up This Morning ….These rollicking gabfests… bring together nearly everyone, on screen and off, who made the series a creative and cultural landmark. The freely offered admiration expressed by so many for their missing comrade and unofficial cast captain, Gandolfini, makes these stories about playing tough guys all the more tender’ New York Times ‘Ever wished you could hang out with the cast and crew of The Sopranos and just listen to them trade stories? … There are plenty of tantalizing bits of trivia—Tony was Tommy Soprano in the pilot script; producers wanted Lorraine Bracco to play Tony’s wife, but she said she would only consider playing Melfi, the psychiatrist—but this isn’t just a trivia collection. Mostly it’s about friends and colleagues getting together to pay tribute to one another and to a series that rewrote many of the rules of television. Love and respect for the show’s star, the late James Gandolfini, permeates the book, as does admiration for the show’s creator, David Chase, who started with a vague idea about a crook and his mother and built it into something that’s almost Shakespearean in its thematic scope. For Sopranos fans this one is an absolute must-read’ Booklist ‘Essential for fans, with a revelation on every page … Devotees will revel in the stroll into series minutiae’ Kirkus Reviews ‘A spectacular tell-all about the making of the Emmy-winning hit television series … What makes this sing is the passion and energy brought by Imperioli and Schirripa and its indelible tribute to the late James Gandolfini. As Aida Turturro (Janice Soprano) recalls, 'He was there for you no matter what.' This is the ultimate book on The Sopranos, made by the people who lived it’ Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThis close-up look at the life and music of Robert Johnson and his contributions to the evolution of blues music describes his obscurity during his own life, his innovative influence on American popular music, and how the history of blues music was shaped and transformed by white fans with different tastes and standards.Trade Review"If you read only one book about blues...read this one." -- Starred Booklist on Escaping the Delta

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Book SynopsisTony Wilson is one of the most legendary music industry figures of his generation. Nicknamed Mr Manchester, he transformed the Northern music scene as founder of Factory Records and the Hacienda nightclub after earning a cult following as a television presenter. The author explores Wilson's existence through the eyes of those closest to him.

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Book SynopsisMichael Davidson - author of the highly acclaimed Mozart and the Pianist - casts new light on some of the most masterly sonatas written for the piano and on the uniqueness of these great compositions and their composers. Excepting the considerable literature on Beethoven, few studies are available which explore the interpretation of this much played repertoire. This study is not only a detailed look at fourteen sonatas; one can also learn more about other works by these composers and about aspects of 'style' - that magical quality which differentiates Haydn from Mozart, Beethoven from Schubert, Liszt from Brahms.Trade Review"The real joy of this book, which lifts it above many a textbook, is that the selected sonatas, though discussed in depth, illustrate the staging posts and landmarks on a much broader and more valuable journey through the development of the sonata itself. Davidson provides a "field guide" suitable for performers, students and listeners, steering all his readers towards the most fulsome and enjoyable engagement with each sonata and with the repertoire as a whole. It is marvellous both for its analysis and practical advice. The book is undoubtedly essential reading for anyone interested in learning, performing or teaching any of the works discussed within. Moreover though, I must strongly recommend it to any serious pianist or classical music-lover. I suspect many others will find just the same; Davidson has surely succeeded in his aim to write "a useful guide to some of the most marvellous music ever conceived"! OUTSTANDING!" Andrew Eales - Pianodao; 'A guide post for anyone seriously interested in piano music at a professional level. The perceptions, humour, and above all, humanity shine through in every page' - Professor Both Lehel, Director, Liszt Music Academy, Budapest; 'Michael Davidson's Mozart and the Pianist, so unanimously acclaimed, struck an ideal balance between scholarship and performance practice. His eagerly awaited The Classical Piano Sonata; from Haydn to Prokofiev is exceptionally interesting, each chapter like a masterclass or masterly concert' - Malcom Troup, EPTA Piano Journal, London; 'Hugely stimulating and thought provoking but also enjoyable, this book will be a boon not only for pianists, but for all readers' - Eleanor Bailie (author of The Pianist's Repertoire series)Table of ContentsIntroduction, 1. Playing the piano music of the Classical Viennese School: some basic misconceptions, 2. Haydn: Sonata in C minor, Hob XVI:20, 3. Haydn: Sonata in E flat major, Hob XVI:49, 4. Mozart: Sonata in C major, K330, 5. Beethoven: Sonata in C minor "Pathetique", Op.13, 6. Beethoven: Sonata in D minor "Storm", Op.31/2, 7. Beethoven: Sonata in E major, Op.109, 8. Beethoven: Sonata in A flat major, Op.110, 9. Beethoven: Sonata in C minor, Op.111, 10. Schubert: Sonata in A major, D664 (Op.120), 11. Schubert: Sonata in A minor, D784 (Op.143), 12. Schubert: Sonata in A major, D959 (Op.posth), 13. Liszt: Sonata in B minor, 14. Brahms: Sonata in F minor, Op.5, 15. Prokofiev: Sonata in C major, No.9, Op.103, Notes, Index

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Book SynopsisCésar Franck (18221890), Belgian born and French domiciled, was one of the most remarkable composers of the 19th century. A number of his works are commonly recordedsuch as his Symphony in D Minor, Symphonic Variations, Violin Sonata, and the ever-popular Panis Angelicusand yet 38 years have elapsed since a biography of him appeared in English. Now with César Franck: His Life and Times, R. J. Stove fills this gap in the history of late 19th-century classical music with a full-length study of the man and his music. Drawing on sources never before cited in English, Stove paints a far more detailed picture of this great musician and deeply loved man, whose influence in both his native and adopted lands was exceptional. Stove carefully delves into intimate matters of Franck's life, including his resilience in the face of his exploitation as a child prodigy at the piano, his development from a shy and harassed piano teacher into one of the most sought-after luminaries of Paris's ConservatTrade ReviewNineteenth-century composer César Franck spent most of his career teaching at the Conservatoire de Paris and serving as organist at Sainte-Clotilde. Only late in life did he achieve fame through a handful of important chamber and orchestral compositions, several of which continued to be performed regularly during the first half of the 20th century. Franck's reputation has suffered, however, since the 1960s. Stove (a performing organist based in Melbourne, Australia) has produced a fresh, eminently readable biography of the composer, the first in English to be based on extensive familiarity with (and translation of) the composer's letters and other primary sources. With the goal of inspiring "better comprehension of Franck himself," the author focuses on Franck's life and the critical reception of his music while the composer was alive and in the century since his death. The result is a fine (and often entertaining) introduction to the man, his compositions, and the political, social, and cultural contexts that shaped both Franck and his music....Summing Up: Recommended. * CHOICE *R.J. Stove’s intensively researched biography of Belgian French composer César Franck (1822-1890) has striking merits. Stove writes exquisitely, in periodic sentences, and manages to make detailed discussions of musicology an aesthetic experience for experts and neophytes alike. He also blends his musical discussions with well-told anecdotes, the most appealing of which is his recounting of Franck’s passion for a young beauty with an Irish father, Augusta Mary Anne Holmès. * The American Conservative *Stove notes a resuscitation of interest in Franck starting in 1990, the 100th anniversary of the composer's death, with a flurry on concert performances and new recordings of long neglected works. Never before has his music been so readily available in commercial recordings. * American Record Guide *This book is not quite for the ordinary reader, but having said that, it would be a huge compliment to give someone a copy of it. It would be a way of saying, “You have sufficient general education and interest in music to make this of more than passing interest to your good self. * Quadrant: The Journal of the C.G. Jung Foundation *Stove has done an admirable job in evoking Franck and his world, as well as giving us a fairly balanced appreciated of his life’s work…. Interesting connections made between people and compositions, as well as the author’s own insights, attest to the depth of Stove’s research. * Limelight Magazine *This book will not be the last word on Franck, but Stove presents us with a readable portrait which will certainly appeal to those for whom Franck is still a bit of a mystery. * Salisbury Review *What makes Stove’s biography especially interesting is not just the author’s own musical expertise, which enables him to go way beyond a standard biographer in analysing Franck’s work, but the way he weaves in the historical background… Cesar Franck: His Life and Times reminds us that artistic geniuses don’t have to be tortured souls with problematic personalities. * Spectator Australia *Stove has chosen to eschew scholarly detachment in treating his subject’s life, and the reward in engagement and sheer wit is considerable, while the extensive annotations reveal just how carefully and thoroughly the author has done his research. * Organ Australia *It is the first study of the composer in English for some time, and even an audience already familiar with the subject will welcome its extensive quotation from contemporary sources. * Choir & Organ *Stove has delivered scrupulous scholarship, correcting errors of earlier writers and providing a full scholarly scaffolding of bibliography and endnotes. * classical.net *“This is an admirably thorough and detailed exploration not only of Franck himself, but also of his historical environment and varied connections, done with obvious sympathy and admiration but without failing to present all sides in the critical spectrum” “We get a wide range of opinion about the man and his music and a feeling that the author knows intimately the music he describes care and detail. And we have confidence that he has gone the extra mile to correct little discrepancies and inaccuracies that have been perpetuated in Franck scholarship to date” “It is fascinating reading, and the author has no hesitation in pursuing amusing side stories or interesting political historical settings. Don’t miss the notes which are often very funny” “The book is full of engaging and charming turns of phrase and wry observations.” This is a very rich book, full of surprises and interest and written in a very appealing and lively way. It should reignite interest in works other than the few standard ones and round out our ideas of Franck’s legacy. I strongly recommend it.” * Annals Australasia *Overall I found this a diverting read and appreciated a writer whose turn of phrase and command of English prose never fail to delight, itself an all-too-rare event these days. * Organz News *

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Book SynopsisMoscow and its Conservatoire was long, perhaps still is, the heart of Russian pianism. Its graduates range through Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Medtner, Richter, Gilels, Ashkenazy, Pletnev and beyond. Professor Christopher Barnes, a professor of Slavic languages at the University of Toronto, has translated hitherto unavailable essays, critiques and lectures from the leading teaching lights at the Moscow Conservatoire. This is a feast of valuable piano pedagogy.Trade Review'Here is a book worth its weight in platinum! Christopher Barnes, a professor of Slavic languages at the University of Toronto, has translated hitherto unavailable essays, critiques and lectures from the leading teaching lights at the Moscow Conservatoire. This is a feast of valuable piano pedagogy ...' PianojazzTable of ContentsIntroduction, A Note on the Authors, Part One - Techniques and Artistry, 1. Samuel Feinberg - The Road to Artistry, 2. Alexander Goldenweiser - Advice from a Pianist and Teacher, 3. Lev Oborin - Some Principles of Pianoforte Technique, 4. Konstantin Igumnov - Some Remarks on Technique, 5. Grigorii Ginzburg - Notes on Mastery of the Piano, Part Two - Lessons and Masterclasses, 1. Samuel Feinberg - Beethoven's Appassionata: A Performer's Commentary, 2. Sviatoslav Richter - Three Answers to Questions about Beethoven's Sonata Appassionata, 3. Heinrich Neuhaus - Work on Beethoven's Sonata in A major Opus 101, 4. Maria Eshchenko - Chopin Etudes (based on classes with Samuel Feinberg), 5. Yakov Flier - Reflections on Chopin's Fourth Ballade, 6. Alexander Goldenweiser - Notes on Chopin's Ballade in F minor, 7. Konstatin Igumnov - Chopin's Fourth Ballade in F minor, 8. Nina Lelchuk and Elena Dolinskaya - Lesson with Yakov Flier (based on Liszt's Mephisto Waltz No.1 and Prokofiev's Sonata No.3), 9. Olga Stupakova and Genrietta Mirvis - Yakov Zak as Teacher (on Liszt's Sonata, Schumann's Etudes Symphoniques and Rakhmaninov's Paganini Rhapsody), Bibliography, Index of Pianists, Composers and Works, Index of Piano Playing Terms

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Book SynopsisVlado Perlemuter had the privilege, as a young man in 1927, of studying all of Ravel's solo piano music with the reclusive composer himself. The origins of this book lie in a series of programmes broadcast in 1950 by Radio Francaise in which Perlemuter played all Ravel's compositions for solo piano and discussed them with Helene Joudan-Morange - a distinguished violinist who had been one of Ravel's closest friends. This is a transcript of their conversations supplemented with numerous musical examples. This edition also deals with the two piano concertos. The value of Ravel According to Ravel is obvious, but the comprehensive background notes which are woven into the conversational fabric give it a much wider appeal. Performers and listeners alike will find it a fascinating guide to the magical sound-world of Ravel's piano music.Trade Review'...fascinating companion to Ravel's piano music...yields fresh insights on each rereading' Roy Howat, The Musical Times; '...this book is a rare treasure...it is a must for any pianist and musicologist.' R Pitts, Choice; '...essential reading for all pianists...' Lionel Salter, GramophoneTable of ContentsForeword by Vlado Perlemuter, Preface by Harold Taylor, Editorial Notes, 1.1 Menuet Antique, 1.2. Pavane pour une Infante Defunte, 1.3. Jeux d'eau, 2. Sonatine, 3. Miroirs, 4.1 Gaspard de la Nuit, 4.2 Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn, 5. Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, 6.1 Ma Mere l'Oye, 6.2 A la maniere de..., 7. Le Tombeau de Couperin, 8. Piano Concertos

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Book Synopsis‘In the beginning,’ Billy Joel entertained Long Island locals, with The Hassles and Attila, prior to forging a solo career in 1971. One year later, the singer-songwriter-pianist captivated college students when ‘Captain Jack’ dominated the Philadelphia airwaves. ‘And so, it goes…’ Cold Spring Harbor was rife with barrelhouse piano and tear-stained balladry but with Turnstiles Joel realised his dream of forming a stellar band. The success of The Stranger led to sold-out arenas and 52nd Street honoured the heyday of American jazz, while The Nylon Curtain highlighted socio-economic inequities and wartime brotherhood. 1993’s River of Dreams fused reggae and world music. Then, in the early 2000’s, his celebration of classical works ushered in a sea change. Unquestionably, Billy’s catalogue has thrived, despite constantly changing trends in the music industry. Over a fifty-plus year span, many of his relatable songs have become standards, covered by countless artists. The third best-selling solo artist in the U.S. has continued to attract multi-generational audiences across the planet, so if you’re ‘all in the mood for a melody,’ read on. Billy Joel On Track contains behind-the-scenes stories and an analysis of Joel’s extensive studio recordings, many of which became top 40 hits in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. ...

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Book SynopsisThe life and works of composer and cellist Luigi Boccherini are explored in this comprehensive new biography. He was highly regarded throughout Europe during his lifetime and the author of around 500 compositions, including symphonies, chamber music and vocal works as well as sonatas and concertos for the cello.Trade ReviewBoccherini, after being ignored for so long, is starting to re-engage our attention again and Kaiserkern’s book will go a long way to giving us the background we need. Her book sets the stage and develops a thorough background of Boccherini and his time. Her analysis of the music is clear and thoughtful and gives a real insight into Boccherini’s innovations and virtuosic touch. - Maureen Buja, Interlude.hkTable of ContentsForeword by Steven Isserlis; Publisher's Note; 1. Finale; 2. The Cello and Music for the Cello; 3. Travels; 4. Duets, Trios, Quartets; 5. In the Service of the Spanish Infante Luis de Borbon; 6. String Quintets and String Sextets 7. Melting Pot Madrid; 8. Chamber Composer to Frederick William II of Prussia; 9. Symphonies; 10. The Final Years; 11. Vocal Works; 12. Boccherini's Letters; 13. Boccherini's Legacy; 14. Boccherini's Reputation down the Years; About the Author; About the Translator; Chronology; List of Works; Bibliography; Index of Names and Places; Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisThe Star Wars galaxy is a dangerous place. Be prepared! Would you survive in the spice mines of Kessel?Could you escape from a giant space slug?From tackling extreme weather and finding shelter, to avoiding social pitfalls, learn what to do to stay alive in a galaxy far, far away. & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.Trade ReviewTongue-in-cheek and pleasingly crammed. * SFX *When something as fun and light-hearted as How Not to Get Eaten by Ewoks comes along, it's something to be treasured. * Starburst Magazine *

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