Description
Book SynopsisA guide to the art of conducting in the twenty-first century, by the founder of the RCM's Twentieth Century Ensemble. Conducting for a New Era fills in a lacuna by offering guidance and practical advice for conducting twentieth-century and contemporary repertoire. The book begins with a look at the development of the art of conducting during the first half of the twentieth century. Distinctions are made between conductors who pursued populist careers and those who established the foundations for the new art form of the twenty-first century. The book goes on to discuss the technical resources required to negotiate the rhythmic complexity of so much music composed since 1950. Beginning with the rhythmic revolution created by Stravinsky in Le Sacre du Printemps (in which conducting unequal units within single bars was introduced), ten different categories of music are featured in an analysis of the technical and aesthetic characteristics involved. The substance of interviews with distinguished soloists,orchestral musicians, conductors and composers is examined in assessing the changing role of the conductor in the twenty-first century. In a final section the technique and artistry of the progressive repertoire is discussed through detailed analysis of specific scores. Conducting for a New Era will be of interest not only to advanced students of conducting, in particular conducting of contemporary music, but also to the music enthusiast who might wish to know 'how it is done'. The book includes a DVD with conducting examples. EDWIN ROXBURGH is a composer, conductor and oboist and visiting tutor and researcher at the BCU Birmingham Conservatoire. Recordings of hismusic are on NMC, Naxos, Warehouse, Oboe Classics and Metier labels, and his music is published by United Music Publishing, Ricordi and Maecenas. As a conductor he has premiered a vast number of works, originally with the Twentieth Century Ensemble of London, which he founded, and later with several of the principle orchestras of the UK.
Trade ReviewThis is an important and timely contribution, which should stimulate performers (not just conductors) and scholars alike. This book provides a rich repository of practical advice and should become as much a staple of the musician's library as the music in question should be a part of their repertory. * MUSIC & LETTERS *
Young conductors, especially, should regard this wonderfully clear book as something akin to a musical bible, and for music lovers who are intrigued by how problems in complex new music . . . can be overcome -- and, in the process, enhance their understanding of what the composer is trying to get across, the accompanying DVD is a godsend. In this very important book, theory meets practice, and we are all the better for it. * INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW *
Young conductors, especially, should regard this wonderfully clear book as something akin to a musical bible, and for music lovers who are intrigued by how problems in complex new music . . . can be overcome -- and, in the process, enhance their understanding of what the composer is trying to get across, the accompanying DVD is a godsend. In this very important book, theory meets practice, and we are all the better for it. * INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW *
Table of ContentsIntroduction Part One Part Two Part Three Bibliography
